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Published on Saturday 12 May 2012 10:00
TOM Hopper’s dream year has been rounded off as he was named as Leicester City’s Academy Player of the Season.
The 18-year-old has had a season to treasure this campaign.
He was the first member of the academy to be offered a first-team contract with the Foxes, after impressing in reserve team action.
He then made his debut for the senior team in the 2-0 FA Cup victory over Swindon in January.
However, the academy Player of the Season trophy is now the icing on the cake.
“Finished at the awards night, chuffed to get academy player of year, well done to everyone, cheers for the messages!” he wrote on his Twitter account.
Striker Hopper, whose family home is in Stickney, joined the Foxes after impressing with Boston United’s Centre of Excellence.
He made his Pilgrims debut aged 15, the youngest player ever to pull on a first-team shirt for the club, in a UniBond Cup clash against Hucknall Town in 2009.
He is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Boston striker Julian Joachim.
Joachim joined City and scored the goals which helped them earn promotion to the Premier League. He then went on to have successful spells with Aston Villa, Coventry City and many other clubs, before twice joining Boston United.
Hopper was also an unused substitute as Leicester beat Norwich City 2-1 in the following round of the cup.
He has now vowed to spend the summer working to improve his game and impress with the first team as he reports back for pre-season training.
Reserve team matches have seen him play alongside Swiss international Gelsen Fernandes, who once scored a World Cup winning goal against Spain.
