Leicester’s Jeremy Monga becomes the second greatest player in the Premier League with an empty shirt
Leicester City Jeremy Monga’s debutant had to wear an empty shirt when he became the second younger player in the history of the Premier League.
Monga came out of the bench to the 74th minute of The defeat for the home 3-0 by Leicester of Newcastle United Monday.
At 15 and 271 days, Monga became the second youngest player to play in the competition behind Ethan Nwaneri from Arsenal, who made his debut at 15 years 181 days in September 2022.
But since Leicester’s home kit is sponsored by BC.Game, an online cryptocurrency game platform, the Under 16 wing of England could not wear it.
A review in 2020 of the Gambling Act 2005 – which the Premier League is committed to following – prohibits players under the age of 18 years of wearing kits that show gambling sponsors.
“You could see glimpses of its great qualities. It’s a large wing and has speed,” said Leicester’s manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy in Monga.
“It’s a fantastic talent, an exceptional 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 turned 17 in 2026.
Monga has largely played for Leicester’s Under 18s and Under 23s this season, also making three appearances in the Football League trophy.
It was a unused replacement in the defeat of the fourth round of the Foxes 2-1 by Manchester United in February.
The other younger players who appear in the Premier League are Harvey Elliott who played for Fulham at 16 years and 30 days, Matthew Briggs who played for Fulham at 168 days, Isaiah Brown who represented West Brom at 16 years 117 days and Aaron Lennon who was 16 years old 129 days when he played for Leeds.
A defeat of the eighth League without scoring leaves Leicester 19th on the table and 15 points at the drift of safety with seven remaining games.
