Cambiasso, Huth & Riley - Three Legendary Former Foxes
Argentine playmaker Esteban Cambiasso spent just one season with the Foxes, but made a lasting impact as part of the side that escaped relegation from the top flight in remarkable circumstances, a year prior to the Club lifting the Premier League title.
It was August 2014 when ‘Cuchu’ signed a one-year contract at City and he would go on to make 33 appearances during the 2014/15 campaign, which included seven wins from the final nine games to eventually finish 14th in the final standings.
Cambiasso is remembered among the City faithful for standout moments of individual brilliance, chiefly the stunning equaliser in the 5-3 comeback victory over Manchester United in September 2015.
That strike was one of five he registered as a Fox and fittingly, the midfielder would score on his final appearance for the Club, during a 5-1 home victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season, having already helped City to seal Premier League survival.
He is the most decorated player in Argentinean history, with 21 titles to his name from successful spells at Spanish giants Real Madrid, Italian heavyweights Inter Milan and Greek champions Olympiacos - his next destination after leaving King Power Stadium.
In November 2017, following his retirement from football, Cambiasso returned to Filbert Way as a guest for the league fixture against Manchester City, walking out onto the pitch to greet the Blue Army at half-time.
He commented during the visit: “It was amazing, it was a very good feeling for me because I know the supporters love me and I love them too. I love the city, I love the Club. I feel really, really happy to come back. The truth is that nothing surprises me when it comes to these supporters.”
Robert Huth was already an established Premier League defender upon his arrival to King Power Stadium, having played over 250 games in England for Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Stoke City.
Enjoying back-to-back league trophy lifts during his time at Stamford Bridge under José Mourinho, he would soon add a third title to his name.
However, when he joined the Club in February 2015, six months after Cambiasso's arrival, City sat bottom of the Premier League standings.
Coming in initially on loan from the Potters, the German centre-back featured in all but one of the remaining league fixtures, scoring once, as Nigel Pearson’s side made their ascent up the table, ensuring survival with a game to spare.
Huth was a key part of that late season flourish, which included four straight victories and built the foundations for the following campaign’s Premier League title success. A permanent move was sanctioned that summer as his partnership with City captain Wes Morgan continued to blossom.
Arguably his most memorable day in a City shirt came at Etihad Stadium in February 2016 when the defender's two goals helped Leicester beat title hopefuls Manchester City 3-1 and go six points clear at the top of the table.
He also played a pivotal role Leicester’s first foray into the UEFA Champions League during 2016/17, playing eight times in the competition, including the first leg of the quarter-final tie against Atlético Madrid.
But far from just a positive influence on the pitch, Huth is often credited for his personality within the dressing room, and while injuries kept him out of the squad during his final season, he was still an impactful figure at Belvoir Drive.
His successful three-and-a-half-year spell at the Club, and his playing career, came to an end following the conclusion of the 2017/18 season, with his place in Leicester City’s history secured.
Unlike Cambiasso and Huth, Leicestershire-born Howard Riley made his City debut as a 17-year-old, in August 1955. In the next decade, he went on to play 233 games for the Club he supported on the terraces as a boy, scoring 47 times.
Promotion to the First Division was secured in his second season with the Club, winning the second tier title by seven points.
In 1960/61, the Foxes recorded their biggest ever win over Manchester United and Riley played a key role in the 6-0 triumph. Crossing for Ken Keyworth to make it 4-0, Riley then smashed home a powerful penalty with five minutes to go to emphatically wrap up the scoring at Filbert Street.
Later a member of the legendary Leicester team nicknamed the ‘Ice Kings’, Riley was part of the side that came close to a league and cup double in 1962/63.
In another memorable fixture against Matt Busby’s Manchester United, Riley assisted three goals for Keyworth in the space of six minutes to help City triumph 4-3 and reach the First Division summit with five games to go, before eventually finishing fourth.
After narrowly missing out on lifting the FA Cup in both 1961 and 1963, losing to Tottenham Hotspur and then United, trophy success would finally come in his penultimate year as a Foxes player.
The winger scored the winner in the 1964 League Cup Final, beating Stoke City 3-2 in the second leg at Filbert Street to secure a 4-3 aggregate win and the Club’s first major trophy.
City’s No.7 from 1955 to 1965, he became a teacher following retirement having also served in the military as part of his National Service, playing for the British Army team.