‘Excited To See What We Can Achieve’ – Skipp’s Words On Signing
On the day of the Foxes’ return to the Premier League, following just a one-year absence, it was confirmed that midfielder Skipp would join their ranks, watching on as his new club face Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium (8pm BST kick-off).
Although not eligible to face his former employers, the 23-year-old is elated to have got the move across the line and looks forward to joining up with his new team-mates and working together to achieve the Club’s aims.
“I’m really excited to sign for Leicester,” Skipp stated. “It’s a club with big history, having won the Premier League and FA Cup in recent times. You just have to look at the facilities here as well; it’s all got the set-up of a big club.
“I’m really excited to meet the players, meet the staff and I’m sure we’ll have a good relationship, and one that we can continue throughout the years to come.”
The former Tottenham midfielder becomes the sixth summer signing through the door, following Facundo Buonanotte’s loan arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion, as in his words, Leicester look to push on from last season’s accomplishments.
“For this season, I think we need to continue on from the work of last season,” Skipp voiced. “I’ve got the feeling that it’s a good group of players and staff, that we need to continue this season.
“Now in the Premier League, I’m sure it’ll be difficult at times, but we’ve got a squad capable of challenging in every game. You look around the team and there’s a lot of exciting players that have played in the Premier League so I’m excited to see what this group can achieve.
“I feel that I’m a player that will always give 100 per cent and have attributes that will help the team. Some of my strengths are that I read the game well, I’m intelligent and can read the game of football.
“Also, I’ll hopefully be able to bring the best out of my team-mates. I’m looking forward to showing everyone what I can do for this Club.
“I had conversations with the people here, and they gave me a feeling of warmth and comfort. They were excited to have me on board and, as a player, when there’s excitement from the players and the staff, that’s something you can use to develop your game.
“There are people here that know me as well. Steve [Cooper] worked with me at England, so we both know each other. There’s definitely that relationship there, but for sure, I’m looking to push on and show everyone what I can do.”
Talking of Manager Steve Cooper, the new Fox was keen to mention the relationship he had while working with him at England’s youth level and is excited to see what they can develop together on a day-to-day basis.
Coming in at a young age, the Tottenham Academy graduate played over 70 times with the London outfit, and while admitting it may be a strange feeling to be in the opposite dugout to them this evening, he is proud to have Leicester as the next step in his footballing career.
Skipp added: “He (Cooper) is someone that I know and had experience within the England set-up. He knows me as a player and I’m excited to have that relationship with him.
“Hopefully, I’ll get to know all of the staff, not just him, and we can push on and really provide the fans with the football they want to see, because I’m sure we can achieve that this season.
“I think club level is completely different to international level, because you’re only there for maybe two weeks a season, but with the club, you get that every day, one-on-one side of working with a Manager.
“That’s something the Manager prides himself on, being a coach. Working with his staff on players to help develop them. He’s mentioned a lot of his coaching is one-on-one, watching back clips and seeing areas where you can improve and that’s something that can really help me.
“There’s areas that I know I can still improve, but hopefully with the work of the staff and the players, I can develop here and really push on.
“It will be a strange one (the game against Spurs), but it will be nice to see some familiar faces. But also now, I’m a Leicester City player, so my focus will be on them.
“It will be nice to see the players and fans. It will be a strange experience but one that will mean a lot to me because I’ve been at Spurs my whole life, but now is the time to move on to start something new, fresh and exciting and I’m looking forward to doing that at Leicester.”