Several Foxes Shine On Loan In 2021/22
Iversen, a 24-year-old shot-stopper who joined the Club in 2018, was in sterling form for the Lilywhites this year. The Denmark Under-21s international in fact started every single league game for Preston, keeping 13 clean sheets across all 46 Sky Bet Championship fixtures.
Ryan Lowe's men eventually finished 13th in the second tier, only missing out on a top-half finish on goal difference. Iversen, who was called up to the senior Denmark squad earlier this year, picked up the Sir Tom Finney Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year prizes at the end of a fine season.
Elsewhere, in Italy, midfielder Dennis Praet delivered a string of strong performances for Torino. The Belgium international netted twice and provided two assists for Il Toro as they finished 10th in Italy's top flight. Injury, though, restricted game time for large spells in autumn and winter.
Back in England, striker George Hirst hit 13 goals in Sky Bet League 1 to help Portsmouth to a 10th-placed finish, 10 points adrift of the play-off places. Popular with Pompey fans, the former OH Leuven striker also registered three assists in the third tier, with all but one of his goals coming in 2022.
Callum Wright, on the other hand, added a full season of EFL experience to his CV with Cheltenham Town, who he helped to promotion from Sky Bet League 2 last season. The midfielder contributed nine goals and five assists despite an knee injury which ruled him out for two months.
The Robins concluded their 2021/22 campaign in 15th place and will be looking to build on that next season under Michael Duff's management.
Also in League 1, Khanya Leshabela had a brief stint with Shrewsbury Town at the start of the season, playing in the league, the Papa John's Trophy, the Emirates FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. He then returned to feature for Leicester City’s Development Squad during the second half of 2021/22.
It was a year to remember for Kasey McAteer, on the other hand, after the midfielder followed his senior debut for Leicester City - in the 4-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United - with a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers. Rob Edwards, who will manage Watford next season, oversaw a title win in League 2.
McAteer made nine appearances in League 2 as Edward's Rovers side won 23 of their 46 league games to win the division on goal difference.
Elsewhere, striker Josh Eppiah also appeared in the fourth tier this year, building on his experience at OH Leuven last term. The Belgian joined Northampton Town for the second half of the season, scoring two goals and assisting another two in 14 appearances.
The Cobblers finished fourth before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Mansfield Town in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs, although 23-year-old Eppiah did start the second leg at Sixfields Stadium.
Another star for the Development Squad over recent seasons, Tyrese Shade, spent the 2021/22 season at Walsall, playing 39 times in League 2. The skilful forward featured 39 times for Midlands outfit, who finished 16th, while also scoring two goals at Banks's Stadium.
Jake Wakeling, meanwhile, was on loan at Barrow for the second half of the campaign, making four appearances. The Bluebirds ended the season in 22nd place, narrowly avoiding the drop back to the National League.
In Scotland, defender Vontae Daley-Campbell, who has represented Leicester City's senior side in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, played 10 times for Dundee after joining on loan in January. The Dark Blues, however, were relegated to the Scottish Championship after finishing bottom.
Finally, goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk also added earned professional experience with Dunfermline Athletic in Scotland's second tier. The Polish shot-stopper conceded just 13 goals in 11 matches in the Championship, keeping two clean sheets, as they finished ninth under John Hughes.