King asked ex-City boss about move to Belgium

ANDY King sought the advice of Nigel Pearson before upping sticks and moving to Belgium to join OH Leuven, writes Jordan Blackwell.

The Welsh midfielder has found his first club since leaving Leicester City last summer in King Power’s other side, who are battling for a European spot in their first season back in the Belgian top flight.

But it was not a decision taken on a whim by King.

He spoke to former City boss Pearson, who spent 18 months at Leuven from 2017 to 2019, as well as goalkeeper Daniel Iversen and forward Josh Eppiah, who are both on loan at Leuven from Leicester.

“It’s a new country, a new competition, that appealed to me anyway,” said King. “You also have the link with Leicester City.

“I talked to Pearson, Eppiah and Iversen. They told me some good things about both the club and the city.

“Nigel knows (Leuven’s current head coach) Marc Brys quite well and told me I wouldn’t regret my move.

“The style of play here is a bit different from what I’m used to, but I can count on the support of the boys to adapt both on and off the field.”

Although King has only signed up until the end of the season, he is setting his sights on a longer career with Leuven.

“I hope I can ride the same course with OHL as with Leicester,” said the 32-year-old.

“Even though I only signed until the end of the season, I would like to help build something here in the longer term.

“I really want to help this club to secure a permanent place in the top five in a few years’ time.”

King could make his debut in a huge clash with Anderlecht this weekend, the Belgian giants managed by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.