City move into the top 20 list of world’s richest clubs

LEICESTER City are listed in the top 20 of the world’s richest football clubs for the first time ever.

The Foxes are ranked 20th in the top revenue earning clubs for last season in the Deloitte Football Money League.

The club’s Premier League winning season saw them report earnings of £128.7 million - five times the figure generated two seasons ago.

Manchester United top the rankings with earnings of £515.3 million, which breaks the 11-year hold that Real Madrid had on top spot.

Real Madrid come in third with £463.8 million, behind bitter rivals Barcelona who posted figures a few thousand pounds more.

Tim Bridge, senior manager at Deloitte, said: “The Money League continues to demonstrate the Premier League’s financial strength in depth.

The appearance of Leicester City shows that on-pitch success gives any Premier League team a chance of a position in the top 20.

“With Leicester having already qualified for the last 16 in this year’s UEFA Champions League competition, we can expect to see them maintain their position in the top 20 and potentially climb a few places.”

Foxes chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who bought Leicester City in 2010, is no stranger to rich lists.

He is worth an estimated £2 billion and is the fourth-richest man in Thailand.

The English Premier League has eight teams in the top 20 this year, equalling its own record total.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham remain in seventh, eighth, ninth and 12th, respectively.

Significantly, Manchester City has climbed into the top five for the first time, in fifth place, following a successful run in the UEFA Champions League.

This is the first time that England has had two clubs in the top five since 2011/12.

West Ham United are the other English representative in 18th.