James Maddison has taken to social media after helping knock boyhood club Coventry City out of the Carabao Cup, paying tribute to his 'home' with a message of good luck for the season.
Now 27 years-old, Maddison started his career in the Sky Blues' academy 11 years ago. His quick progression through to the senior side has been a repetitive theme throughout his career as it was by the age of 19 he had been picked up by fellow Championship side Norwich City, two years after that he jumped to the Premier League with Leicester City and for the past two seasons he has been able to try his hand at a 'Big Six' club in Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder has amassed 351 career appearances to date, scoring 83 goals and providing 76 assists, but never before last night had he been handed the opportunity to return to the turf he was once so familiar with at the Coventry Building Society Arena. His only appearance against Coventry before that was with Norwich at Carrow Road eight years ago.
His long-awaited return, made possible by the draw of this season's League Cup, almost saw a major upset play out however late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson ensured it would be Spurs and Maddison's names in the next round.
Afterwards, he took to X and penned the message: "Home is where the heart is. I’m so proud and privileged to be a Coventry City academy graduate. As I’ve got older I’ve realised how much Coventry actually means to me. My place of birth and my whole childhood into early adult life. Was a super special feeling to play in this city again with all my friends and family there," adding in brackets alongside a laughing emoji: "Most wanting me to lose."
"Good luck for the rest of the season and beyond. Forever grateful @Coventry_City PUSB," he signed off with a blue heart.
After the full-time whistle the England international had swapped shirts with City favourite Ben Sheaf, donning the colours of his former club as he showed appreciation for the home support.