Things to know about new Leicester signing Bayli Spencer-Adams

Defending is a problem so far this season, but Leicester City have now signed a centre-back. Yes, you read that correctly.  Okay, I’ll go into more detail.

Obviously the club haven’t signed a new first team centre back, otherwise this isn’t the place you’d be discovering that. Leicester have though, signed up a new and – as far as young players go – experienced centre back to their academy: 20-year-old Bayli Spencer-Adams.

The youngster is originally from the Arsenal Academy – where he played alongside fellow former-Arsenal man Vontae Daley-Campbell, until he was signed to Watford’s youth team in 2019. It was at Watford for which he made his first team debut, playing, and starting, in their 2020 FA Cup tie with Tranmere. Spencer-Adams went on to start again for Watford in the replay of that fixture after an initial 3-3 draw.

Spencer-Adams then spent last season on loan at Dover Athletic in the National League, making 8 appearances. He was later released by Watford and made one appearance for Burnley U23’s in the Premier League 2. This season, he has played in three of the Foxes Premier League 2 games, including both of their wins and has now recently posted online saying:

"“Delighted to start this new chapter and sign for such a massive club. The hard work continues!”– Bayli Spencer-Adams on social media, via the Leicester Mercury"

Though Spencer-Adams in qualified to play for England, he has chosen to represent South American country Guyana. He is yet to make an international appearance but will hope to play his way into the set-up whilst at Leicester.

The Foxes U23’s are currently enduring a mixed campaign – sound familiar? – as they sit 14th in the PL2, having won two, drawn two and lost 2. How much Spencer-Adams will help his new team is up for time to tell, but hopefully his experience can push City forwards.

The Leicester academy has had numerous success stories across the last five seasons. Everyone knows about Ben Chilwell and Harvey Barnes, but the rise of Luke Thomas and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall highlights how much of a key asset their academy is. Hopefully Spencer-Adams can emulate his senior colleagues.