Leicester City unveil a statue in tribute to late chairman Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

Leicester City have unveiled a statue in tribute to their former chairman Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who tragically died in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium in October 2018.

The 60-year-old, who bought the club for £39million in 2010 and led it to their first Premier League title in 2016, passed away following Leicester's 1-1 draw at home to West Ham United over four years ago.

Srivaddhanaprabha died alongside Leicester City staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz.

The statue was unveiled on Monday morning - which would have been Srivaddhanaprabha's 64th birthday.

Current Leicester City Chairman Khun Aiyawatt and his family were joined by distinguished guests to reveal the statue.

Among those present at the ceremony were Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur; Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Colonel Murray Colville; Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Deepak Bajaj and City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby.

The current Leicester squad were also pictured watching on as Aiyawatt unveiled the statue - which is 2.7m high, standing on a 2.5m plinth bearing the logo of the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation.

The likes of Jamie Vardy and Brendan Rodgers we seen sitting on the benches surrounding the statue - which were designed to 'stress the importance' of the monument and allow supporters to 'sit, dwell and reflect' on the incident.

While former Leicester City managers Nigel Pearson, Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare were also present for the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Aiyawatt said: 'Khun Vichai loved this city. He greatly appreciated the affection shown by the people of Leicester and recognised how this community believed in his vision.

'Today, his contribution to the Club and to the city is made eternal. For generations to come, people will stand in this place and tell stories of The Possible Man.

'They will speak of his leadership and ambition, but also of his generosity and kindness. However this site changes, in all the moments we will experience together, his presence will be permanent.'

While Chief Executive Susan Whelan – a close friend and colleague of Khun Vichai - said: 'Khun Vichai loved this city. He greatly appreciated the affection shown by the people of Leicester and recognised how this community believed in his vision.

'Today, his contribution to the Club and to the city is made eternal. For generations to come, people will stand in this place and tell stories of The Possible Man.

'They will speak of his leadership and ambition, but also of his generosity and kindness. However this site changes, in all the moments we will experience together, his presence will be permanent.'