adminThe 21-year-old midfielder, currently on loan at Leicester City from Stade Rennais, was named the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season at the EFL Awards 2026. It comes after a strong campaign where he stood out in a difficult season, finishing as Leicester’s top scorer with 10 goals and adding 4 assists in around 30 league games.
Not long after the award, James broke his silence with a short but heartfelt message on Instagram:
> “An absolute honour to have picked up the Championship Young Player of the Season last night. Grateful. Thank you for all the messages, Foxes.”
Speaking more openly in post-award interviews, he reflected on just how much the past year has meant to him both on and off the pitch.
> “It’s an unbelievable achievement. I’ve worked really hard this season. Coming back from France wasn’t easy, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a person and really shown what I can do.”
Despite the personal success, James didn’t shy away from the reality of Leicester’s struggles this season. There was a sense of mixed emotions in his words pride in his own progress, but disappointment with how things have gone for the team.
> “It’s been a tough season, not what we wanted. But personally, I’ve hit numbers I didn’t expect at the start. After a difficult spell in France, coming here gave me the chance to play my best football again, and I’m grateful for that.”
As for his future, James kept things open no big announcements, no clear destination yet. Instead, he focused on ambition and what lies ahead.
> “There’s a lot of quality in this league, players who will go on to do big things. Hopefully I can do the same.”
Right now, his situation remains uncertain. He’s still under contract with Rennes until 2028, and with Leicester’s current situation, a permanent move doesn’t look straightforward. There’s already talk of interest from Premier League clubs, but nothing concrete has been confirmed.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
admin
