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Ritchie De Laet could win Premier League and Championship with Leicester and Middlesbrough

Ritchie de Laet cover graphic

Winning a league title is a memorable moment in any player's career. But how about winning two in one season?

Former Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet has a chance to do just that this year.

The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough from Premier League high-flyers Leicester.

So how could De Laet win both the Premier League and Championship?

Leicester could wrap up an extraordinary Premier League title triumph against Manchester United on Super Sunday, while Middlesbrough have the chance to move to the top of the Championship against Birmingham City on Friday night.

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Aitor Karanka's side will still need to navigate a home clash with third-placed Brighton on the final day of the Championship season next week, and they might also need a superior goal difference to Burnley, who are on +33 to Boro's +32.

De Laet made 12 Premier League appearances for Leicester before moving to Middlesbrough on loan in January, where he has played nine times for Aitor Karanka's side.

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Leicester City's Ritchie De Laet
Image: Ritchie De Laet made 12 appearances for Leicester earlier this season

You need to play five Premier League games to be eligible for a winners' medal in the top flight. In the Football League, Championship-winning clubs are given 18 medals to hand out among their players as they see fit and can apply for more if they provide a strong enough reason.

Has this been done before?

Middlesbrough's Jordan Rhodes (right) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with teammate Ritchie De Laet
Image: De Laet joined Middlesbrough on loan in January

If Leicester and Middlesbrough triumph, this would be the first time a player has won a Premier League winners' medal and another English league title in the same season - as far as we're aware!

Has De Laet won a league title before?

Richie  de Laet of Leicester City celebrates after scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City a
Image: De Laet scored for Leicester against Boro when the Foxes were promoted from the Championship in 2013/14

Winning league titles is something De Laet has experience of in the past - he helped Leicester win the Championship in 2013/14.

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However, because De Laet only made one league appearance in the 2008/09 Premier League season, he wasn't entitled to a winners' medal with Manchester United.

As a result, De Laet could treble the number of leagues he has won this season. 

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