Ritchie De Laet, born on November twenty-eighth, nineteen eighty-eight, is a retired Belgian professional footballer renowned for his role as a defender. His football journey began in the youth ranks, where he showcased his talent before joining the Royal Antwerp youth academy. In two thousand seven, he made a significant move to Stoke City, marking the start of his professional career.
In two thousand nine, De Laet's potential caught the attention of Premier League champions Manchester United, who signed him two years later. While he primarily featured for the reserves, he also embarked on several loan spells, gaining valuable experience in competitive football.
De Laet's career took a notable turn in two thousand twelve when he joined Leicester City. Here, he became an integral part of the squad, contributing to the club's remarkable achievement of winning the Premier League title in the two thousand fifteen to sixteen season. Following a successful tenure, he spent three years with Aston Villa before returning to his roots at Royal Antwerp in two thousand nineteen, where he celebrated a domestic double.
On the international stage, De Laet made his debut for the Belgian national team in two thousand nine, earning two caps throughout his international career. His journey through various clubs and his contributions to the national team highlight a career marked by resilience and achievement.