Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho are all out of contract in the summer. Daniel Amartey is fighting for his return to full fitness. The two veterans Vardy and Schmeichel might fancy one more year in the game, could they be on their way back to Leicester?
Kasper and JV9 are two very special people in this club’s history. However, we need to address the question of whether a second ride would be something to consider for them. their former team mate Andy King would clearly be the example of such a return, not really having the impact needed to bring the club in balance.
Jamie Vardy is this season fighting a relegation battle in Serie A with Cremonese. Kelechi Iheanacho and Kasper Schmeichel are with another Leicester legend at the moment, playing under Martin O’Neill at Celtic.
Looking at previous players who have gone the full circle you have very few names to count. The first to come to mind is Eddie Kelly. Kelly had previously played for Arsenal. He was part of The Double act in 1979/71. He first joined Leicester in 1977. Newly appointed manager Frank McLintock brought him to the club.
Eddie Kelly became an important player in his first run. Strangely, he was given a chance to leave after they had won the second division. He returned to the club in 1981 and stayed to 1983, having a say in a new promotion race under Gordon Milne.
Kevin MacDonald, was also among a number of players signed by Jock Wallace. MacDonald made huge progress at Leicester and was sold to Liverpool in November 1984 for a fee of £400.000. He later returned to the club on loan for a short period in 1987. MacDonald had a third return, being a coach at the club in the early 90’s. He was also appointed interim manager in the period between Brian Little and Mark McGhee in 1993.
Peter Eastoe was mostly known for scoring goals at Everton, Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich. He joined Leicester twice on loan. This was back in 1983 and 1984. A total of 11 games, scoring 2 goals.
🏴✨ Jamie Vardy (38) with the Serie A Player of the Month award! 🏆🏅 pic.twitter.com/GOAqpC1ai8
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 28, 2025
In the modern days of football, we have not seen many players return to Leicester for a second period. Micky Adams took Steve Guppy back to the club for a short period in that 2003-04 season. Guppy had reached his mid 30’s, so not the same player that left four years earlier. Some say never look back and never return, but that is not always the truth and best option.
Paul Dickov had a similar experience. He was part of the League One winning squad. He played an important role in winning promotion back to League Championship in 2008-09. He played 21 league games and scored 2 goals in his second stint at the football club.
Looking at those returning to become a manager, the current manager Gary Rowett is one in that pack of people. His assistant Callum Davidson also among them. Frank McLintock also had a bittersweet experience. He made his return but never got the job done. He took Leicester down in a transition period. This period never worked out for him.
Gary Kelly, David Nish, Allan Evans, Gerry Taggart and Jim Melrose all returned to the club. They joined after their playing careers in different capacities. Adam Sadler, Craig Shakespeare and Andy King are others to have that same experience.
There are a number of candidates to call for a second round. If you want to see the list, it includes our former players who are still in the game. Check out our new and updated list. It will give you a better insight into where they are at the moment.
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