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Ritchie de Laet wins promotion and Premier League title medal on same day

By Guardian
Sports News Ritchie de Laet wins promotion and Premier League title medal on same day
MAY 8, 2016 LISTEN

Ritchie de Laet enjoyed an unprecedented double celebration on Saturday when he picked up a Premier League winner’s medal hours after seeing his other team win promotion to the top flight.

The 27-year-old Belgian defender, who played 12 league matches for Leicester this season, joined Middlesbrough on loan in January and made 10 appearances for the club, helping them finish second in the Championship.

After Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Brighton to confirm their promotion, De Laet – an unused substitute – travelled to the King Power Stadium to see Leicester beat Everton 3-1 before collecting his title-winning medal.

“It’s crazy, a great day for me,” he told the BBC after Middlesbrough’s result. “It’s crazy, I’m still a Leicester player so I’ll be on my way to catch the end of the Leicester game to get awarded my medal over there.”

De Laet, who has played twice for Belgium, started his career with Royal Antwerp before joining Stoke in 2007 and then Manchester United in 2009.

He spent three years at Old Trafford, making three league appearances amid several loans to other clubs, and moved to Leicester in 2012.

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