Leeds United defender James Justin has conceded his final season at Leicester City was the worst of his career to date.
The 28-year-old plied his trade with the Foxes between 2019 and 2025, experiencing stunning highs and painful lows.
He was part of the club’s FA Cup-winning squad in 2021 and helped the Foxes clinch the Championship title two years later.
However, while Leeds were marching towards the Championship title themselves last season, Justin and Leicester were losing their battle to stay afloat in the top flight.
James Justin has impressed for Leeds United since sealing a move to West Yorkshire from Leicester City.placeholder image
James Justin has impressed for Leeds United since sealing a move to West Yorkshire from Leicester City. | Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Lows at Leicester City
He said: “I would say definitely [the] last season I was at Leicester was probably the worst season of my career bar none, even in terms of being injured, having setbacks, this, that and the other.
“It was the worst season because I feel like when you’re playing in a losing team, week in and week out, it’s just demoralising, and it affects every part of your life. Even if you try to put on a brave face at home or when you’re out with whoever, it impacts everything you do.
“Everyone watches you as the footballer. Every line of conversation is ‘ah, sorry about...’. It just brings a negative spin on your life in that year and that was probably the hardest thing. But also, at Leicester, I had a lot of highs as well and a lot of great times.”
Bouncing back at Leeds United
When Justin put pen to paper in West Yorkshire, it appeared he had been recruited as an understudy full-back capable of operating on the right of the left.
He has since become an important figure for the Whites, impressing at right wing-back, left wing-back and even centre-back.
The England-capped defender said: “Playing under different managers with different styles has helped lead me to where I am at the moment, which is playing well at Leeds United. I’m happy where I am and these experiences have moulded me into what I am today.
James Justin ended a six-year association with Leicester City to join Leeds United.placeholder image
James Justin ended a six-year association with Leicester City to join Leeds United. | Julian Finney/Getty Images
“As soon as I walked into the dressing room, I was a bit bewildered because obviously every team is different.
“The way they operate day-to-day also takes some getting used to. I felt here that everyone just got on with it, whatever the job was.
“Everyone held each other accountable to maintain this on and off the pitch, which was a massive thing and definitely something I wasn’t used to before.”