Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Wed 8 April 2026 17:10, UK

Leeds United star James Justin says his last season at Leicester City was the “worst” of his career, but that has helped him succeed at Elland Road.

There wasn’t a great deal of fanfare for Justin when Leeds confirmed the defender’s signature for an initial fee of £8million last August.

The former Leicester man had to bide his time but when he was handed an opportunity away at Liverpool on New Year’s Day, Justin took it and he hasn’t looked back since.

The 28-year-old has started 11 of Leeds’ last 12 Premier League games, with his versatility proving to be a real asset for Daniel Farke.

Now, Justin has opened up on a difficult last season at Leicester, where they got relegated to the Championship, and how that has moulded him at Leeds.

James Justin reflects on ‘demoralising’ Leicester season

The one-time England international has had a successful career, winning the FA Cup with Leicester in 2021 and achieving promotions with the Foxes to the Premier League in 2024 and the Championship with Luton Town in 2019.

Justin was part of a Leicester side that played in Europe and competed in the top six of the Premier League. But last season, their fortunes took a nosedive.

Justin – who has played at centre-back, left-back, right-back, and as a wing-back for Leeds – admitted that last season at Leicester was a real low point, suffering serious injuries to his cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon during his time at King Power Stadium.

When asked if his time at Leicester helped him, Justin said on The Official Leeds United Podcast: “Yes, it was massive. Last season at Leicester was probably the worst season of my career, bar none.

“Even in terms of being injured, having setbacks, it was the worst season. When you’re playing in a losing team week in and week out, it is just demoralising.

“It affects every part of your life, even if you try to put on a brave face at home, when you’re out. Every line of conversation is, ‘Sorry about…’. It brings a negative spin on your life. At Leicester, I have had a lot of highs as well, a lot of great times.

“Playing under different managers with different styles has helped lead me to where I am at the moment, which is playing well at Leeds. I am happy where I am, and these experiences have moulded me into what I am today.”

Justin takes his chance at Leeds

For the first half of the season, Justin didn’t seem like the most beneficial of signings as he was limited to cameo appearances off the bench.

And while teammates such as Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James, and Ao Tanaka haven’t done a great deal when coming off the bench in recent months, Justin is the opposite.

While Justin didn’t have his best game for Leeds against West Ham on Sunday, he was trusted to start at right wing-back over Jayden Bogle for the Crystal Palace draw last month.

He is now filling in at left wing-back due to Gabriel Gudmundsson’s absence, and when the Swede returns, Justin could take Bogle’s spot on the right again.

The experienced defender has taken his chance and continues to do a job at Leeds. The Whites will hope he can hit top form as they try to win the FA Cup and stay in the Premier League this season.

After a terrible year for Justin, Leeds’ gamble has clearly worked.