Leicester’s Vardy thrilled at success of V9 Academy

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is optimistic his V9 Academy can produce league footballers after one signed a pro contract with Stevenage.

Fellow frontman Danny Newton, 26, has given up his job in a Leicester factory to join the League Two side and has signed a one-year deal.

Newton scored 29 goals in National League North for Tamworth last term but was out of contract and got invited to the V9 Academy in Manchester.

He was one of 42 successful applicants to spend five days at the Manchester City’s Etihad Campus, watched by various scouts, at the beginning of June and is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Vardy.

The Leicester striker was signed by the Foxes from then non-league Fleetwood Town back in 2012 and helped the club back into the Premier League.

(Photo by Chris Brunskill – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

And after helping to manufacture top-flight survival in 2014-15, he scored 24 goals in 36 appearances as Leicester City sensationally won the Premier League title in the 2015-16 season.

“When my agent John Morris told me that Danny (Newton) had received an offer from Stevenage, I was buzzing,” said Vardy.

“He was one of the first players that we recruited to the academy and he seems to have had a similar journey to myself.”