Leicester’s Jeremy Monga becomes second-youngest Premier League player in blank shirt

Leicester City debutant Jeremy Monga had to wear a blank shirt when he became the second-youngest player in Premier League history.

Monga came off the bench in the 74th minute of Leicester’s 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle United on Monday.

At 15 years and 271 days old, Monga became the second-youngest player to play in the competition behind Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted at 15 years 181 days in September 2022.

But because Leicester’s home kit is sponsored by BC.GAME, an online cryptocurrency gaming platform, the England Under-16 winger could not wear it.

A review in 2020 of the Gambling Act 2005 – which the Premier League is committed to follow – prohibits players under the age of 18 from wearing kits displaying gambling sponsors.

“You could see glimpses of his great qualities. He’s a great winger and has speed,” Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said of Monga.

“He’s a fantastic talent, a great boy. He deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come.”

Monga will turn 16 on 10 July and will be able to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 in 2026.

Monga has largely played for Leicester’s Under-18s and Under-23s this season, while also making three appearances in the Football League Trophy.

He was an unused substitute in the Foxes’ 2-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat by Manchester United in February.

The other youngest players to appear in the Premier League are Harvey Elliott who played for Fulham at 16 years and 30 days old, Matthew Briggs who played for Fulham at 16 years 68 days, Isaiah Brown who represented West Brom at 16 years 117 days, and Aaron Lennon who was 16 years 129 days when he played for Leeds.

An eighth-straight league defeat without scoring leaves Leicester 19th in the table and 15 points adrift of safety with seven games remaining.