Leicester City legend Emile Heskey is to make a return to the Club, as he takes up a dual ambassadorial role with the Foxes.

Emile has agreed to become an ambassador for the soon-to-be-launched Thailand International Academy, applying his experience as a successful Leicester City Academy graduate to delivering a valuable learning experience for young people from Thailand.

The former England international striker will also become an honorary ambassador for the LCFC Foxes Foundation, supplementing the charitable work of established Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall in the community.

Emile is currently in Bangkok as part of a Leicester City and King Power delegation, selecting 16 young players for the inaugural intake of the Thailand International Academy – a pilot project that will offer a Leicester-based learning experience for a group of 16-year-old Thai footballers.

Having been part of the selection team, Leicester-born Emile will call on his experience as a young footballer growing up in the city to help mentor the young players and assist in their adjustment to their new surroundings.

Emile said:“Leicester City is where it all started for me, so it is with great pride that I return to the Club in a role I am really excited about.

“Coming up through the Club’s Academy and developing into a first team footballer were some of the most important years of my career, but they were also some of the most enjoyable. My aim is to help these young players to have a similar experience while they are studying and playing in Leicester.

“I owe so much to Leicester City and to the education I received in the Club’s Academy, so I’m delighted to be able to give something back at the other end of my career.”

Susan Whelan, Leicester City’s Chief Executive Officer, said:“It is a great honour to welcome Emile back to the Club as part of such an exciting project.

“His standing among our supporters and his exemplary representation of the Club throughout his career make him a wonderful ambassador for Leicester City, while his first-hand experience as an aspirational young person in Leicester will be of great value for those involved in the Thailand International Academy.”

Heskey, now 36, is widely regarded to be one of the finest players ever to emerge from the Leicester City Academy. First signed to the Club as a nine-year-old, he excelled both on and off the pitch throughout his schooling with the Foxes and made his debut in 1995, aged 17. As his influence grew in the following seasons, he helped the Foxes return to the top-flight and win two League Cups in what is widely acknowledged by supporters as a ‘golden era’ under the management of Martin O’Neill.

His form for City also saw Heskey become a regular in the senior England team – earning the first of his 62 international caps in April 1999. His 11-year international career included appearances at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups plus the 2004 European Championships.

Emile played 196 times for Leicester, scoring 46 goals before a Club-record £11 million move to Liverpool in 2000. His four years at Anfield coupled with successful stays with Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa would see Heskey pass 500 league appearances in England and become one of only 24 players to have scored 100 goals in the Premier League.

Emile most recently represented Newcastle Jets in Australia’s A-League, enjoying two successful seasons Down Under before returning to the UK.

He will begin his new role with Leicester City immediately and will be presented to the Thai media on Tuesday (4 November) as part of his ambassadorial commitments with the Thailand International Academy.

