Leicester City fans got a welcome showcasing of their team's squad numbers for the 2026/27 season, but the news was preceded by an exciting surprise signing on Thursday. Harry Howell (20) joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion out of the blue.
The talented No.10/winger was highly regarded at Amex Stadium, and plenty of Seagulls supporters oddly took to Leicester's social media channels to urge the Foxes to take good care of him this season. Although, it is a clear sign of just how highly their fan base values the young player.
Now it is time to look to which numbers have been assigned to each Fox and what those choices might tell us about Russell Martin's plans. Under-pressure goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has kept the No.1 jersey, while Franco Ravizzoli (21) and Alex McCarthy (29) have been given higher ones.
This may mean Stolarczyk is set to start the season between the posts. Which is something that was also reflected in the recent League Cup match against Northampton Town, where he began the game with Stevie Bauser on the bench.
Jayden Joseph has been handed the two shirt, while Bade Aluko has a higher number, leading many to expect Joseph to start the season at right-back - even though many previously expected Aluko to take that spot. Wout Faes has been given his usual number three, and while there has been talk of interest in the Belgian, seeing him in a Leicester shirt in League One feels strange.
Though Faes will likely be a key starter if he remains at LCFC, given the club's options at centre-back and exits predicted. Harry Souttar has his familiar number 15, while long-term injury absentee Ben Nelson retains his usual number four.
Caleb Okoli takes the number five. He and Souttar appear to be Martin's preferred centre-back pairing amid departure rumours.
Leicester City midfielders and attackers
Moving to midfield and attack, new signing Wes Burns, who arrived from Ipswich Town, has been given the number seven and looks set to start on the right side of the pitch. Conor Chaplin wears eight and will push for a starting spot anywhere across the attacking line, from the No.8 role, No.10 or out wide on either flank.
City fans will be pleased to see Admir Bristric handed the number nine, meaning he will lead the line as the main striker. Stephy Mavididi keeps the number ten and could still play a major role on the left wing; Liam Cullen takes the final spot from one-to-eleven and is also tipped to start, whether in midfield or out wide.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid is 14 and now appears more likely to stay than leave this summer; having an international players in the squad will be a huge boost. At left-back, Christian McFarland and Luke Thomas take numbers 18 and 33 respectively; yours truly still thinks McFarland can eventually replace Thomas if he shows the kind of ability that drew Manchester City to him.
On the eve of a new league season, here's our 26/27 squad numbers 🔢
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 14, 2026
Hamza Choudhury is listed at number 17 and is not widely expected to be a regular starter. Most other players have kept the numbers they are used to, whether for superstitious reasons or personal preference, and could still feature prominently in the first team despite wearing higher numbers, Sammy Braybrooke (36) and Will Alves (37) for examples.
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