Doyle - The Youthful Yet Experienced Centre-Back

LCFC Men
14 Jul 2023
2 Minutes
Callum Doyle is a ball-playing centre-back who is eager to play a key role in getting his team up the field and looking for goals of their own.

The 19-year-old centre-back became the third summer signing at Leicester City this week after hugely impressive loan spells in the Football League with Sunderland and Coventry City.

He'll spend the 2023/24 term on loan at King Power Stadium from Manchester City as the Foxes bid for promotion from the Sky Bet Championship.

The Manchester-born defender is one of several bright lights within the Man City academy who worked under Enzo Maresca during the Italian's time in the North West.

It's his time away, though, which grabs your attention when scrolling through Doyle's CV. For a man joining a club with one aim and one aim only - promotion - it makes for encouraging reading.

Callum Doyle was an outstanding member of the Sunderland squad which won promotion from League 1.

His first big break in the professional game came during the 2021/22 season when Sunderland called upon his services in their efforts to end their stay in Sky Bet League 1.

It was all new for the young centre-back, with the Stadium of Light welcoming large crowds, while opposition teams put a target on the Black Cats' back.

The North East outfit, with Doyle making 36 appearances, ended their exile in the third tier via the play-offs. Leicester's new defender had stepped up to the challenge. 

His reward was a move to Coventry City last term. Managed by former Fox Mark Robins, the Sky Blues mounted what some viewed as an unlikely promotion charge.

It was nearly successive promotions for Callum Doyle after joining Coventry on loan last term.

They proved the doubters wrong and made the play-offs anyway. With potent attacking threats, they were also resolute at the back, largely due to the impressive displays of their young Man City loanee. 

It was a season which took Coventry and Doyle to Wembley. It wasn't to be for the Midlands outfit, with Luton Town taking the last Premier League spot for 2023/24, but more valuable lessons were learned. 

Leicester City's sights are set on the top tier this term and they've recruited somewhat of a Football League specialist despite his age. He'll be hoping to add another promotion to his CV this term.