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We chart Leicester City midfielder Andy King's rise to the top

Andy King of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal
Image: Andy King will be hoping to play a role in Leicester City's title charge

Andy King has risen from League One to the top of the Premier League with Leicester City.

The midfielder is in elite company when it comes to players who have remained with just one club throughout their career - and, after 328 appearances for the Foxes, King could be on the brink of a remarkable achievement with the title chasers. 

King, 27, made his senior debut a decade ago, and now, after working under seven different managers - including Nigel Pearson twice - the Wales international is aiming to cap an already memorable campaign by landing the Premier League crown.

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Here, we look how King has risen to the top with Leicester by charting his remarkable career...

The beginning

Andy King of Leicester City in action during the League One Match against Northampton
Image: King helped the Foxes to promotion from League One

King spent six years as a schoolboy at Chelsea, but the academy player realised he wasn't going to make the grade at Stamford Bridge with Claudio Ranieri at the helm and moved to Leicester in 2004.

The midfielder was known as being naturally defensively-minded but also very skilful with an eye for goal from distance. He turned down a potential move to Conference side York City in the summer of 2007 and it proved to be a wise decision.

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First goal

Andy King of Leicester in action during the Championship match against Birmingham City
Image: The midfielder's first goal for the club will be one he'll never forget

King's first goal for the club was memorable - a 35-yard screamer in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton in December 2007.

Despite being unable to help prevent the club from being relegated to League One, a series of impressive first-team displays earned him a three-year deal in the summer of 2008.

Promotion & Wales cap

Andy King (right) of Wales celebrates scoring the opening goal with team-mate Simon Church against Finland
Image: King (right) celebrates scoring against Finland with Simon Church

The new contract motivated King and he proved an inspirational figurehead in helping the Foxes secure promotion as League One champions, making over 50 appearances across all competitions in 2008/09 and scoring nine league goals in the process.

And it wasn't long before he earned recognition on the international stage with Wales manager John Toshack calling him up for a friendly against Estonia.

He has since played a significant role in the Wales squad that made history by qualifying for next summer's European Championship finals in France.

Kingy is always there, he's an experienced head and he's a very important part of the dressing room.
Wes Morgan on Andy King

Championship mainstay

Andy King of Leicester celebrates scoring in the Championship
Image: King spent five seasons as a City first-team regular in the Championhip

King spent five seasons as a Leicester first-team regular in the Championship and bagged a season-high 15 goals during the 2010/11 campaign. He became the club's highest scoring midfielder in their history when he netted his 54th goal against Wigan in 2014.

His hard work and leadership was rewarded when the Foxes won promotion to the Premier League with six games to spare in 2013/14.

Kasper Schmeichel, Andy King, Chris Wood and Matty James of Leicester City celebrate winning the Championship
Image: Kasper Schmeichel, King, Chris Wood and Matty James celebrate winning the Championship

Leicester team-mate Wes Morgan has known King since he first arrived at the club and says he is looked upon as an elder statesmen, describing him as an "experienced head".

"I've known him since he first came to Leicester and since I've been here he has been very welcoming," said Morgan. "We get on really well and when I go in to my meetings with the gaffer I go in with Kasper [Schmeichel] for his advice and Kingy as well.

"Kingy is always there, he's an experienced head and he's a very important part of the dressing room."

Premier League title dream

Andy King of Leicester City in action during the Premier League match against Sunderland
Image: King is determined to be a part of the Foxes' title ambitions

King grabbed his opportunity of playing in the big time with both hands, making his top flight debut in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Everton.

And his commitment to the Foxes' cause was rewarded when he signed a new four-year contract with the club on his 26th birthday in 2014.

Andy King of Leicester City celebrates scoring their second goal against West Ham
Image: The Midlands side are targeting the unlikeliest of title victories

After helping the Foxes pull off a remarkable escape from relegation last season, King is now part of the Leicester squad chasing the dream of winning the Premier League title. He has not been involved in every match this season - he's made 21 appearances  under Claudio Ranieri - but Morgan says his attitude has been incredible.

"You'll hear him in the dressing room," Morgan said. "Obviously everyone wants to play but the form that Drinky [Danny Drinkwater] and [N'Golo] Kante has been in you can't really argue against that.

"He understands how good the team has been and he has been fully supportive of the team. Before we go out he's there cheering everyone, makes sure everyone is on their game and he's fully behind us, and when he gets his chance there's no doubt he comes in and does a good job."

Wes Morgan, Kasper Schmeichel, Andy King, Marcin Wasilewski and Robert Huth of Leicester celebrate
Image: Will the Foxes and King be celebrating at the end of the season?

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