Talented RB who broke Ndidi's record handed jersey number at Leicester ahead of season opener

Leicester City have announced their squad numbers for the new season ahead of their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

From a Nigerian perspective, the big news is that history-making right-back Olabade Aluko has been handed a squad number even though he is classed as a development squad player, having been born in November 2006.

The Foxes academy graduate made his first team debut in May 2025, coming off the bench in the 89th minute of Leicester's 2-0 loss to Bournemouth on the final day of the campaign. 

Wearing the No. 77 shirt, he etched his name into the record books as the youngest player of Nigerian descent to feature in a Premier League match for Leicester City, making his debut at 18 years and 176 days. 

The feat eclipsed the previous mark set by Wilfred Ndidi, who was 20 years and 29 days old when he made his top-flight debut against Chelsea in January 2017.

For the 2025–2026 campaign, Aluko will sport the number 56 jersey, while fellow defender of Nigerian descent Caleb Okoli retains the number 5 shirt he donned during his debut season at the King Power Stadium.

Former England U21 international Luke Thomas was assigned the number 56 in the 2019-2020 season.

Aluko was involved in first-team training during pre-season preparations and will be targeting his full debut in the new season, provided he is not sent out on loan before the transfer window closes.

Meanwhile, Leicester City's number 6 jersey remains vacant following Ndidi's permanent transfer to Beşiktaş last week.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com