Ward: We're Going In The Right Direction
The Wales shot-stopper, who has 12 international caps to his name, extended his deal with the Foxes until 2025 earlier this week, three years after joining the Club from Liverpool.
Across Ward’s time in the East Midlands so far, the 27-year-old has been utilised in a host of domestic cup competitions, including this season’s enjoyable run to the semi-final stage of the Emirates FA Cup, alongside outings in European football over the past few months.
Now, the Wrexham-born 'keeper is excited to play a role in Leicester’s future as the Club looks to build on recent successes and share more memorable moments with the Blue Army.
“It’s a really good feeling,” Ward told LCFC TV via video call from the King Power Centre at LCFC Training Ground in Seagrave. “I had a really good feeling the first time around when I signed and, luckily, we’ve been able to grow together as a club and as a team.
“I’m really excited for what lies ahead. Even in my short time here, you can see in terms of facilities alone, the step up has been incredible.
“The success we’ve had in the league too, we’ve been on a European adventure as well, so step by step, we’re going in the right direction and, as a player, to be involved in that is really exciting. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for us.”
City are currently preparing for their first last-four appearance in the FA Cup since 1982 when they tackle Southampton at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (6:30pm BST kick-off).
Ward, who has starred in victories over Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion in the competition, says everyone in the squad is determined to deliver a performance in the capital at the weekend which gives the Foxes every chance of a place in the showpiece.
“We’re all in a good place,” he explained. “Last year was a massive learning curve for us as a group. We’ve got an FA Cup Semi-Final to look forward to as well as being in good stead in the league, so hopefully we’ll get there where we want to be.
“But it’ll all be down to hard work, minutes on the grass and working together. We ultimately, as footballers, want to be successful and win trophies for this club.
“We’re at the point now where it’s the business end. We’ve put in so much hard work to get to this semi-final, so it’s lovely to have the glitz and glamour of going to Wembley and all that comes with that, but ultimately, it’s a semi-final and a huge opportunity for us as players and staff to bring something another step closer to this club.”
Ward also spoke about the close-knit goalkeepers union which exists at the Club, spearheaded by himself, Kasper Schmeichel and Eldin Jakupović, but also including a strong cohort of youth team shot-stoppers currently emerging through City’s Academy.
Now settled in at LCFC Training Ground, a new world-class facility in Seagrave, Leicester’s players are starting to feel the benefits of working at such an elite headquarters, he added.
“It’s a brilliant atmosphere,” the former Huddersfield Town loanee continued. “We all push each other on. Whether it’s an Under-18s goalkeeper or myself and Kasper, we’re all a tight-knit group.
“Us goalies, we spend a lot of time in each other’s company away from everybody else, so it’s a strong connection between all of us. It’s a highly competitive training environment and we’re obviously always there for the younger boys to offer any advice to them as well.
“It’s an unbelievable facility here. We’ve got everything from the boys having the right recovery systems, like the hydro pool, and the gym facilities are incredible.
“The pitches are absolute carpets so there’s literally nothing we could want more or need more than what we’ve already got here. It’s incredible and fantastic from the Club to produce that for us.”
After previously working with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers during their shared spells at Liverpool, Ward believes the Foxes can continue to build and achieve further success under the Northern Irishman’s guidance over the coming years.
“He’s got a set way of playing which we’ve all bought into,” said Leicester’s No.12. “Luckily enough, I’ve known Brendan for a number of years from working at Liverpool together, so I know what he’s about and how he works.
“He’s been brilliant for the players and I think, for the Club in general, he’s bought into our identity as a family club, but he’s also brought an identity onto the pitch and a way of playing which has really suited us.
“So far, we’re on the right path towards becoming successful because of that.”