Jordan James makes bittersweet Leicester City admission and lays out career ambition | OneFootball

Jordan James has set his sights on progressing his career after being named Championship Young Player of the Season on Sunday, calling the honour a bittersweet moment given Leicester City’s plight.

According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, the 21-year-old, on loan from Rennes, beat Bobby Clark of Derby, Stoke’s Ashley Phillips and Sydie Peck of Sheffield United.

Injuries have limited his minutes in 2026 during a grim campaign for a Leicester side that looks doomed to relegation.

The former Birmingham City midfielder, who moved to Ligue 1 in 2024, has 31 appearances, 26 starts and 10 goals.

After collecting the award, the Wales international admitted the season has been tough, though he said he had exceeded his own targets.

He reflected on a difficult spell in France last term and said returning to play his best football at Leicester had been a valuable chance.

James has already made 126 Championship appearances and noted the league’s quality, adding that he hopes he can do big things too.

He has two years left on his Rennes contract and, with Leicester looking set for demotion to the third tier, a permanent return now seems impossible.

Team-mate Louis Page won EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season, the 17-year-old’s August debut against Charlton Athletic starting a run of 16 Championship games.

Academy graduate Sammy Braybrooke was named in the League Two Team of the Season for his loan spells with Newport County and Chesterfield.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk