Breaking: Leicester City’s Demarai Gray signs new four-year-deal
By James Lassey
Leicester City winger Demarai Gray signs a new four-year-deal keeping the 21-year-old there until 2021.
The England-under-21 international signed for the Foxes in January 2016 from Championship outfit Birmingham City for £3.7 million.
Rumours regarding the new contract started to gather yesterday following his fantastic display in the 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday.
It was his dazzling first-half run which sent Riyad Mahrez clear to tee up Jamie Vardy for the first and he was there to strike for the home side’s second. The goal was his first in the league in over a year.
Gray has only made the starting line-up on 12 occasions in his 20 months at the Kingpower Stadium, having come on as a substitute 39 times.
Related Story: Can Demarai Gray become a Leicester City great?
Gray expressed his delight to signing the new deal and cannot wait to start more games.
"Speaking to the club’s website he said: “I’m very happy. Now I just want to kick on and keep doing what I’m doing. I want to be starting games and, for me to be doing that, I have to work hard in training.”"
Gray has gone on to make 51 appearances for the Foxes but has become frustrated at times due to not being handed many first team starts.
Leicester manager Claude Puel enjoyed a winning start last Sunday and recently spoke about the importance of “seducing” players to stay . Gray’s signature could be the first of many as the Frenchman will be keen to nail down other key player’s mindsets too.
Especially following the reports that flamboyant winger Riyad Mahrez could be on his way to Marseille .
Gray, who has made almost 150 senior appearances, wants to use the new deal as a source of motivation to do more.
"He added: “As a whole, we’re a good group and we have a good dressing room. Now I want to get my head down and keep kicking on for the team.“For me personally, it’s now about developing as a player and the rest will take care of itself.”"
Leicester manager Claude Puel was pleased to have got the deal done.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Stoke City clash, he said: “It’s good news of course, after his impressive game [aganist Everton] and performance,
“He’s a good player, I saw him with the England U21’s last season. I like him. It was important for me to look at this game and it was a good game for him.
“He’s good with the ball and good without the ball also. Now it’s important to stay at this level.”
Gray’s first game under the new contract will be against Stoke City as Puel will look to widen the four point gap separating them from the bottom three.
Next: Stoke City Vs Leicester City: The key decisions facing Claude Puel