Michail Antonio ‘in talks’ with new membership a 12 months after horror automobile crash
The striker has been on the lookout for a club after leaving West Ham United in the summer.
Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio could be edging closer to a switch to Championship outfit Leicester City, more than a year after being in a devastating car crash that left him with a severe leg injury.
The incident happened whilst Antonio was still a Hammers player, with the club providing crucial support during his rehabilitation process. Even after his contract expired in the summer, he was permitted to continue training with West Ham.
Antonio is now hunting for a fresh start as he attempts to revive his playing career. The Telegraph reported on Friday that he had been training with Leicester.
It was also revealed that the striker has been ‘in discussions’ with the Championship club regarding a possible move, though no final decision has been reached. Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes acknowledged the speculation during his pre-match press conference before facing Ipswich.
“He’s a player who has big experience in the Premier League,” he said. “We’re having a look.
“We as a Club are always working to analyse what we need and how we can improve.”
Any prospective transfer could be wrapped up before the January transfer window kicks off, as Leicester have room in their 25-man EFL squad.
Whilst Antonio hasn’t featured in a domestic fixture since his accident, he did turn out three times for Jamaica during the Gold Cup last summer. He has also appeared for West Ham’s U21 side as part of his ongoing comeback.
Earlier this month, he shared his eagerness to return to club football with TNT Sports, saying: “I wasn’t done with football and I didn’t want my career to be finished literally in a car crash.
“The very first thing is as soon I could was to speak to the doctor, the first thing I said to him was, ‘Am I going to play again?’, and from him saying to me, ‘Yes’, that was me, no problem, that’s all I need to know. I knew I had more in me and I knew I’ve still got more in me.”
The forward also touched on his return to the pitch for Jamaica earlier this year, but lamented a missed opportunity for a dream comeback. “I was back on the pitch within six months,” he recalled.
“I played a couple of games for Jamaica in June. Still to this day burns me.
“The first time I get on the pitch, there was a time where a player at Jamaica, he’s gone through, I’m standing open goal, all he needed to do was roll me the ball.
“I was screaming at him. Let me have this moment, first game back, comeback story, it’s written in the stars. He missed and you know the worst thing about it? He missed it and it goes half a yard behind me. I’m stretching my leg, I’m stretching my leg so much just to get a touch but it goes behind me.”
Leicester currently sit in 13th place in the Championship table, three points off the top six positions.
