James arrived at King Power Stadium from Manchester United in the summer of 2012 as one of Nigel Pearson's first signings of his second spell at King Power Stadium.
He played a vital role in City's 2013/14 Championship title win, while also helping Leicester survive in the Premier League, but a succession of injuries have curtailed his appearances in recent years.
After graduating from Manchester United's prestigious academy, he signed professional terms at Old Trafford in July 2009 and was a central figure for the reserves before two loan spells at Preston North End.
A box-to-box midfielder with a good range of passing and an eye for goal, he has been capped at multiple levels of the England youth system, making a total of 34 appearances across various age groups.
His two spells at Preston, meanwhile, saw him garner Championship experience, making 32 appearances and scoring three goals, before joining Pearson's Foxes alongside Richie de Laet in 2012.
James' all-action displays for City in his debut 2012/13 season at King Power Stadium enabled him to forge an impressive partnership with Andy King in the final stages to help City secure a play off spot.
The midfielder made 30 appearances in all competitions and scored four times – including City’s opener in the memorable 3-2 final day victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
In 2013/14, James continued to build on that impressive debut season, with 40 appearances as Leicester won promotion, helping to see him named the Club’s Young Player of the Year.
He built on that with a series of fine display for Leicester City in the Premier League and forged formidable midfield union with Esteban Cambiasso in the heart of midfield.
An unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament injury against Southampton in May 2015, though, saw him sidelined for a lengthy period, but he briefly returned against Manchester City in December 2016.
Since then, another 18 appearances followed on loan at Championship outfit Barnsley, before making 14 outings for Leicester in the 2017/18 campaign before another cruciate ligament injury.
Despite those setbacks, James has dedicated himself towards returning to fitness and, in February 2020, Brendan Rodgers brought him off the bench against Manchester City at King Power Stadium.