Exciting Summer For Young Foxes Sides
- Young stars on the books at Leicester City will enjoy a thrilling schedule of pre-season fixtures across the continent this summer
- The Development Squad have a host of domestic pre-season friendlies to play as well as a trip to France for the Tournoi European
- City’s Academy side participated in the prestigious Generali Cee Cup, reaching the 'ranking' stage, in Prague, Czech Republic
- Academy Manager Ian Cawley says the summer gives the Club's young talent a 'tremendous opportunity' to shine in the City shirt
On Wednesday 19 July, a 22-man squad of Under-19s departed for Prague, Czech Republic for the Generali Cee Cup, one of the largest youth tournaments in central and eastern Europe.
The Foxes defeated Slovakians FC Nitra 1-0 in Group C on Thursday 20 July before a 2-0 defeat by Bosnian side FK Sarajevo the following Saturday.
On Tuesday, they ended against Akademija Pandev, winning 3-1 in their only 'ranking' fixture, after missing out on a place in the semi-finals.
Now Trevor Peake's side have returned to the UK, attention turns to Steve Beaglehole’s Development Squad in France at the Tournoi European Des Centres.
On Friday, City opened with a 1-0 loss to SM Caen before later falling 2-0 to Standard de Liege. Matches last just 50 minutes at the Centre-Technique Bretagne in Ploufragan, northern France.
The following morning, Beaglehole’s suffered a 1-0 loss to Stade Brestois but made amends on Sunday, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.
Past players to have featured at the competition include Yacine Brahimi and City’s own Riyad Mahrez.
While the older group take to the field in France, the Club’s Under-18s will travel north for the Tri-Series challenge at Manchester United’s former training ground, The Cliff.
Peake’s side will come up against Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and United in the one-day contest before locking horns with Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool U18s in an away friendly on Saturday 5 August.
Academy Manager Ian Cawley said: "This summer is another tremendous opportunity for the Club’s young talent to continue their development on the international stage.
"Over past seasons, many have progressed at a good pace, in part thanks to the tournament experience they have gained on the continent.
"The players, many of whom have been with the Club since a young age, will be able to test their abilities against players from different backgrounds which can only stand them in good stead in their ambition to become established professional footballers over the coming years.
"The opportunity to play competitive football against strong opposition before the new season will prepare them well for the rigours which the domestic campaign will have in store for them and everyone at the Club’s Academy wishes them the very best of luck this summer."
Development Squad fixtures:
Jersey 1-2 City
Tuesday 11 July
Pre-season friendly
Springfield Stadium
Goals: Muskwe, Trialist
Leamington 3-1 City
Friday 14 July
Pre-season friendly
The New Windmill Ground
Goal: Trialist
City 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Wednesday 19 July
Pre-season friendly
Belvoir Drive (behind closed doors)
Goals: Watts x2, Gordon
Nuneaton Town 3-3 City
Saturday 22 July
Pre-season friendly
Liberty Way
Goals: Gordon, Eppiah, Hughes
SM Caen 1-0 City
Friday 28 July
Tournoi European
Centre-Technique Bretagne, Ploufragan
Standard de Liege 2-0 City
Friday 28 July
Tournoi European
Centre-Technique Bretagne, Ploufragan
Stade Brestois 1-0 City
Saturday 29 July
Tournoi European
Centre-Technique Bretagne, Brittany
Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 City
Sunday 30 July
Tournoi European
Centre-Technique Bretagne, Brittany
Goal: Knight 52
City 2-0 The New Saints
Wednesday 2 August (12pm kick-off)
Pre-season trialist friendly
Belvoir Drive (behind closed doors)
Goals: Trialist x2
City vs. Nottingham Forest
Monday 7 August (1pm kick-off)
Pre-season friendly
Belvoir Drive (behind closed doors)
New season starts
Monday 14 August
Academy fixtures:
City 7-1 Oadby Town
Friday 14 July
Pre-season trialist friendly
Belvoir Drive (behind closed doors)
FC Nitra 0-1 City
Thursday 20 July
Generali Cee Cup
Stadion Evžena Rošického, Prague
Goal: Heaven
FK Sarajevo 2-0 City
Saturday 22 July
Generali Cee Cup
Stadion Evžena Rošického, Prague
Akademija Pandev 1-3 City
Tuesday 25 July
Generali Cee Cup
Stadion A.F.K. Spartak Kbely
Goals: Trialist, Trialist, Fielding
Tri-Series Challenge
Saturday 29 July
Pre-season tournament
The Cliff, Manchester
Liverpool vs. City
Saturday 5 August
Pre-season friendly
Melwood Training Facility
New season starts
Saturday 12 August
You can follow the progress of all of Leicester City’s youth sides this summer right here on LCFC.com ahead of the new 2017/18 campaign.