"I think the level and the opportunity attracted me."
Manchester City youngster Lakyle Samuel has said the level of detail and care shown by Exeter City’s management made a season-long loan move to St James Park an easy decision.
The versatile 20-year-old defender, who can play across the backline from right-back to centre-half, made his first start for the Grecians in the 1-1 draw with Barnet where he impressed.
Samuel came through the academy ranks at the Citizens, before last season, he spent the campaign on loan at Bromley and was part of their promotion to League One as champions. Back in League Two on loan for a second season in a row, Samuel revealed it was an easy decision to move to Exeter when the move came together.
"I think the level and the opportunity attracted me," Samuel explained. "Having a great conversation with the manager before I joined. He spoke to me on stuff that I can improve on and what I can bring out in the team. It was a really good move for me in terms of my development.
"Exeter contacted Man City about the potential move, and I was quite interested in it. Then we had the call with Matt [Taylor] and Dan Green, and it was a really good call. They showed me loads of clips from my previous gamesm andstuff I can improve on and positives in my game.
"Seeing the level of care they went into getting those clips, and understanding the aim for the team, was a big factor. They said I would get opportunities here depending on my performances, so overall it was a good decision for me."
Lakyle Samuel of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Exeter City and Barnet at St James Park Stadium, Exeter on 1 September 2026 (Photo: George Manning/PPAUK)
Lakyle Samuel of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Exeter City and Barnet at St James Park Stadium, Exeter on 1 September 2026 (Photo: George Manning/PPAUK)(Image: George Manning/PPAUK)
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Having come through the ranks at Man City, Samuel is no stranger to elite environments, although he admitted that there is a huge difference in the way League Two matches and played compared to U21 games, but that he is able to adjust.
"I'm grateful for the opportunities I've got, training with the first team at Man City and being around it," Samuel said. "If you're playing in Under-21s games, it's a bit more controlled, whereas senior football is more back and forth. Coming here, I knew those were the requirements of the game and something I could improve on. So that's just one thing that I really could take away from this whole experience.
"I had a taste of it at Bromley last season, but hopefully this season I can get a larger run of games depending on my performances.. But I think tonight was a good stepping stone to go in the right direction.
Lakyle Samuel of Exeter City applauds fans before the EFL League 2 match between York City and Exeter City at LNER Community Stadium, York on 29 August 2026 (Photo: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)(Image: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)
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"Throughout my youth career, I was a centre-half until about the Under-16s, when I got moved to right-back. Right-back at first wasn't really too familiar, but I've played quite a few positions—back three, right-back, right wing-back, or coming inside. It helps if the manager needs something different, as I can fill in for different positions.
"Exeter's reputation for developing players who have gone on to bigger things is really good," he added. "Everyone here is amazing, fans, staff members, players. I've really got on with everyone so far."