- Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel signs a new contract to 2023
- The Denmark international joined the Foxes from Leeds in June 2011
- Schmeichel has made 298 appearances for Leicester in all competitions
- He helped his country to the Round of 16 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup
The 31-year-old Dane has been a significant figure in Leicester City’s success since joining from Leeds in 2011, having represented the Football Club 298 times in all competitions and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers.
Schmeichel has been a key part of the team’s Championship and Premier League title wins in recent years, as well as establishing himself at international level with Denmark.
He helped guide them to the last-16 in the summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, including three penalty saves in one match against Croatia.
Speaking to LCFC.com, Schmeichel said: “I’m very happy to be here for many more years. I’ve spent the majority of my career at Leicester now and had some amazing times here, so hopefully we’ll have some more. I’ve felt at home at this Club from day one, so I’d like to thank the fans for the support they’ve given me and also the owners who’ve played a huge part in my career. I want to bring more success to this Club as I’ve loved every minute and hopefully we can keep going in the right direction.”
Schmeichel began his career with Manchester City and was handed his Premier League debut in August 2007 after loan spells at Darlington, Bury and Falkirk. He gained further experience with Cardiff City and Coventry, before joining Notts County in 2009.
During his solitary season at Meadow Lane, the 31-year-old provided the foundation for the Magpies’ 2010 League 2 triumph, playing 43 league games and earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year as County were promoted to League 1.
Schmeichel joined Championship side Leeds on a free transfer that summer and made 40 appearances during his only campaign at Elland Road, culminating in his first call-up to the Denmark national team in May 2011, before Leicester secured his services that summer.
His performances in his debut season with the Foxes earned him the Club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards in 2011/12, along with a call-up to Denmark’s Euro 2012 squad.
Schmeichel’s full debut for Denmark came in a friendly match against Macedonia in February 2013, while his influence for Leicester City also continued to grow.
After the disappointment of a play-off semi-final defeat in 2013, Schmeichel’s excellent form and influence helped the team bounce back by winning the Championship title in 2013/14.
His return from injury in the following Premier League campaign coincided with an incredible run to survival – form that continued the following season as Schmeichel kept an incredible 15 clean sheets en route to an historic first Premier League title.
The Dane’s reputation for performing in big moments was underlined in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League campaign, when he kept four clean sheets in his first four appearances in the competition.
He would go on to make crucial penalty saves in each leg of a last-16 tie with Sevilla to earn Leicester City a place in the quarter-finals.
Schmeichel’s continued excellence for the Foxes during the 2017/18 campaign earned him the no.1 shirt for Denmark at the 2018 FIFA World Cup as they reached the last-16 stages before a shootout defeat to eventual finalists Croatia.