- Layton Ndukwu joins Sky Bet League 1 side Southend United on loan

- He has signed a new two-year contract ahead of the move

- The forward has been a regular for the Club’s Development Squad in recent seasons

- He appeared for the Foxes in a 2-1 friendly win against Cheltenham Town

Ndukwu has risen up through the Club’s Academy and has been a mainstay in the Development Squad in recent seasons, with his excellent performances catching the eye as he was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award in August 2018.

Now, after extending his contract with the Football Club to the summer of 2021, the 20-year-old will continue his development in English football’s third tier for Kevin Bond’s Southend United.

An England youth international, Ndukwu hit a stunning treble for the Young Lions’ Under-17s in October 2014 before he netted for the Foxes from the half-way line against Liverpool in December 2016 – a strike which won Goal of the Season – as well as a fantastic curled effort in a 2-1 success over Arsenal.

He was involved in the Foxes’ 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town in pre-season and has represented City at the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens competition in Hong Kong in May 2019. He was also part of the Club’s Under-18s team that reached the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup in 2015.

Southend maintained their League 1 status on the final day of the 2018/19 season with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland, while Ndukwu will be available for their opening home game of the new campaign against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon at Roots Hall.