Leicester City Football Club has a long and storied history, one filled with thrilling highs, heartbreaking lows, and unforgettable individuals who have worn the Foxes’ badge with pride. While many clubs boast players of legendary status, Leicester City's list of greats is particularly unique. From goalkeeping giants to title-winning magicians, Win Tips Bet will highlight some of 8 Leicester City best players of all time- those who defined eras, broke records, and built legacies that will endure for generations.
The top 8 Leicester City best players of all time ranked
Here is a list of 8 Leicester City best players whose names you've heard of:
8. Riyad Mahrez
When Leicester City signed Riyad Mahrez in January 2014 from Le Havre for just £450,000, few could have predicted the impact he would have on the club’s history. At the time, he was relatively unknown in European football, but his flair, creativity, and technical brilliance soon made him a fan favorite at the King Power Stadium.
Mahrez played an essential role in Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League and later proved even more pivotal during the unforgettable 2015–16 campaign, when the Foxes stunned the footballing world to become Premier League champions. Mahrez’s 17 goals and 11 assists in that title-winning season earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, making him the first African player to win it.
His dribbling, vision, and ability to produce moments of magic made him unplayable at times. Although he moved to Manchester City in 2018, his contribution to Leicester City’s greatest triumph ensures he remains a club legend forever.
7. Gordon Banks
Before he became a World Cup winner with England, Gordon Banks was a rock between the sticks for Leicester City. Signed from Chesterfield in 1959 for just £7,000, Banks would go on to make 356 appearances for the Foxes over eight years.
Banks was known for his incredible reflexes, composure under pressure, and shot-stopping abilities. He helped Leicester reach two FA Cup finals and won the 1964 League Cup- the club’s first major trophy. Although his club career was filled with notable moments, it was his time with England, including the famous save from Pelé in the 1970 World Cup, that secured his global reputation.
Despite eventually being replaced at Leicester by a young Peter Shilton, Banks’ contribution to the Foxes remains unforgettable. He is not just one of Leicester’s best players, but one of the greatest goalkeepers the sport has ever seen.
6. Graham Cross
When discussing longevity and loyalty, few can match the incredible record set by Graham Cross. Born in Leicester, Cross represented his local team for a staggering 16 years between 1960 and 1976, amassing 600 appearances- a record that still stands today.
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Initially starting as an inside forward, Cross adapted his game over time, becoming a reliable defender capable of playing both centre-half and right-half. Remarkably, Cross balanced his football career with a cricketing career, playing for Leicestershire County Cricket Club- something unheard of in the modern era of professional sports.
Cross may not have grabbed headlines with flair or scoring feats, but his dedication, consistency, and versatility made him one of the most respected players to ever wear a Leicester shirt.
5. Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker is perhaps better known today for his broadcasting career and witty football commentary, but before all that, he was a lethal striker who began his football journey with Leicester City. A true hometown hero, Lineker joined Leicester’s youth system at the age of 16 and made his senior debut in 1979.
Over the next seven years, he scored 95 goals in 194 appearances, showcasing incredible poise, intelligence, and finishing ability. Lineker’s performances at Leicester earned him moves to Everton, Barcelona, and Tottenham, where he continued to shine and became the only Englishman to finish top scorer in England for three different clubs.
Despite his travels, Lineker’s roots have always remained in Leicester. He has received multiple civic honors and remains an ambassador for the club. His legacy as a Foxes icon is solidified, not just by goals, but by the affection the city holds for him.
4. N’Golo Kanté
Sometimes, greatness comes in brief bursts. N’Golo Kanté only played one season for Leicester City, but the impact he made in that short time was monumental. Signed from Caen in 2015 for just £5.6 million, Kanté was the heartbeat of Leicester’s miraculous Premier League title-winning side in 2015–16.
A tireless defensive midfielder, Kanté’s reading of the game, energy, and relentless tackling made him nearly impossible to play against. He covered more ground than any other player in the league that season and played 37 of 38 league matches.
Following the title win, he joined Chelsea for £32 million, where he won another Premier League title the following season. But it was his time at Leicester that introduced the world to his unique talents. Kanté’s single season may have been short, but it was unforgettable and instrumental in one of football’s greatest underdog stories.
3. Peter Shilton
Another goalkeeping giant in Leicester’s history is Peter Shilton, who joined the club’s academy at the age of 13 and made his senior debut at just 16. Shilton was so promising that Leicester made the bold decision to sell Gordon Banks to make way for him.
During his eight years with the first team, Shilton made 286 appearances and helped the club win the Second Division title and the Charity Shield. His career afterward saw even greater success, especially at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough, where he won two European Cups.
Shilton went on to become England’s most-capped player with 125 international appearances. Leicester fans will always remember him as the prodigy who lived up to his potential and became one of the greatest goalkeepers the country has ever produced.
2. Jamie Vardy
If there is one player who embodies Leicester City’s spirit of resilience, determination, and fairytale success, it is Jamie Vardy. Signed from non-league Fleetwood Town in 2012 for £1 million, Vardy’s journey to the Premier League is nothing short of extraordinary.
Many doubted whether he could make the leap from non-league to top-tier football, but Vardy silenced every critic. His speed, finishing, and tenacity made him a nightmare for defenders. During the 2015–16 season, he scored in 11 consecutive Premier League games- a record- and was vital to the team’s title triumph.
As of 2025, Vardy has scored over 140 Premier League goals, making him Leicester’s all-time top scorer in the competition. He also won the Golden Boot and is the player with the most goals in the Premier League after the age of 30. Vardy is more than a great player- he is a living legend, a leader, and an inspiration.
1. Arthur Rowley- One of Leicester City best players
Long before the Premier League era, one man set standards for goal-scoring that would be almost impossible to replicate today. Arthur Rowley, nicknamed "The Gunner," was a prolific striker who played for Leicester between 1950 and 1958. He scored a staggering 265 goals in those eight seasons, just eight shy of Arthur Chandler’s all-time club record.
Rowley helped Leicester to two Second Division promotions and was known for his powerful left foot, positional sense, and remarkable consistency. After leaving Leicester, he continued his prolific form at Shrewsbury Town, but his legend was already cemented in East Midlands football.
In the era before live broadcasts and media hype, Rowley was a silent assassin- a player who let his statistics do the talking. Even today, decades later, his goal tally remains one of the most impressive feats in the club’s history.
In summary
These 8 Leicester City best players not only achieved greatness on the pitch but also connected deeply with the fanbase, representing the city and its values. Their stories reflect the journey of the club itself- unexpected, extraordinary, and unforgettable. As Leicester City continues to evolve and compete, new heroes will emerge, but the legacy of these legends will always remain an essential chapter in the club’s glorious history.
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