- The stopper committed his future to Leicester City on Saturday
- Schmeichel believes playing in the UEFA Champions League will be an amazing experience for the Club’s players and fans
- Experiencing the highs and lows of football has created a tight-knit bond between the City squad, according to Schmeichel
Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has vowed to continue to work hard for the Club after signing a new five-year deal on Saturday.
The Foxes stopper signed a new contract that runs until June 2021, having already played a significant role in the Club’s success over the past five years since joining from Notts County in 2011.
Schmeichel won the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year Awards during his debut season at the Club and helped City secure promotion to the Premier League two years later, before playing every minute in the 2015/16 title-winning campaign.
After committing to a further five years, Schmeichel told LCFC TV: “I’m delighted – we’ve been talking for a while now and finally come to an agreement, so I’m buzzing and I can’t wait for the season to start.
“It was a case of coming back after having won the Premier League, making sure that the hunger was the same within myself and the squad. I’m absolutely convinced that this is the place for me to be.
“We’ve taken some massive steps and ever since I’ve arrived, it’s been fantastic from minute one. Everyone has welcomed me ever since I walked through the door.
“Obviously it’s massive – five years is a long time in football and that obviously means a lot that the Club wants to sign me up for so long.
“I’m just going to be working harder each day to become a better goalkeeper for Leicester. I want to try and improve myself and ultimately that will be good for the Club.”
A debut season in the UEFA Champions League beckons for Schmeichel and his Leicester City team-mates, and it’s one that not just the players, but also the fans will be exhilarated by, according to the ‘keeper.
“There are a lot of things to look forward to,” said the Denmark international. “This Club has taken a massive step and we’re looking to keep building on that and I’m looking to be a part of that.
“Everyone can’t wait for that (the Champions League). It’s going to be a fantastic experience for the players and fans.
“We’ve had a little taste of it going to Sweden and the type of atmosphere that our fans can create when they go abroad. We’re hoping we can do really well for them in the Champions League, put on a good show and reach the latter stages.”
Schmeichel becomes the sixth member of the first team to sign a new contract this summer, with Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy, Andy King, Marcin Wasilewski and Ben Chilwell also committing their future to the Club.
“It’s a massive thing to sign up the players who have helped get us here,” Schmeichel added. “A lot of the players are ones that I have worked for four or five years. Kingy (Andy King) was obviously before me, but the big skipper (Wes Morgan) signing as well has been massive for everybody.
“We’ve experience a lot of highs and lows together. We’ve been through a lot of things in football both on and off the pitch. The experiences we’ve had like getting promoted and winning the league – those sort of things bond you together forever.
“When I signed, I thought we definitely had potential to get to the Premier League and do well. It was a dream to win the Premier League.
“Something inside me has always said that one day I’d achieve it. I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t think I would achieve it as quickly as I did, but it’s been fantastic.”