‘A Great Feeling’ – Alves’ New Deal Delight
The Leicester City youngster enjoyed a sensational rise to make his First Team debut at the age of just 16, though he would have to wait close to a year for another senior appearance.
Just 24 hours on, while playing an FA Youth Cup tie, Alves suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which would not only end his season but leave the young attacker out of action for almost another 12 months.
Now back to full fitness and feeling stronger every day, the attacker is keen to make up for lost time, while his journey from Leicester fan and Academy hopeful to a rising teenage star is one which fills him with pride, given the dedication required to reach this level.
“It’s a great feeling,” he beamed, sitting down to discuss his new deal, which runs until 2028. “Another four years here, where I’ve been for my whole life, I couldn’t really see myself being anywhere else but here.
“Going through what I’ve been through, getting past that and all the hard work and determination that I’ve shown to get back, it’s definitely made me tougher and I just want to keep on working and not take it for granted.
“I was thinking of the worst because I couldn’t do anything and I hadn’t really seen my team-mates but the more I was doing and the further I got on with the process, I really started to believe a lot more that I could be back here.”
Involved in a league matchday squad for the first time in 2023/24, as City secured an immediate return to the Premier League as champions, Alves’ quest for First Team minutes has only increased following his recovery, having had a taste of senior football.
Taking things one step at a time, having watched the likes of Kasey McAteer, Ben Nelson and Jakub Stolarczyk make that jump last term, he feels there has been a natural progression after being involved in the Club’s pre-season trips to France and Germany under new Manager Steve Cooper.
The England youth international continued: “I feel more part of the team now. Being in and around it last year was unbelievable for me just to be around the celebrations and seeing what the lads did last season.
“Learning from all the different players here is great for me, I couldn’t be in a better position. Being able to play with the players that I have been watching and being a Leicester fan and having this opportunity, it’s unbelievable.
“I just want to keep going, keep working hard throughout these next few years and hopefully get more chances soon with the First Team. I want to be playing as much First Team football as possible, trying to get some minutes. That’s the main thing for me, trying to play men’s football, that’s where I’ll learn best.”