Riyad Mahrez: I thought Leicester City was a rugby club before I joined them

The Algerian international has since become the leading contender for the Player of the Year award

Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring a goal for Leicester (Getty Images)

Riyad Mahrez has revealed he was unaware of Leicester City before joining the East Midlands club for £400,000 two years ago.

The Algerian international has since become the leading contender for the Player of the Year award after aiding Leicester’s remarkable transformation from relegation favourites to Premier League title chasers.

Mahrez has scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists, a tally he added to during the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night, as Claudio Ranieri’s swashbuckling Foxes continue to sit atop of the table with ten matches remaining.

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, the 25-year-old said: “I didn't know Leicester. In France we didn't really [know them] because they were in the Championship. I thought they were a rugby club.

“I was like ‘I don't know’ but then I came here to see the facilities and they were good. I do not regret signing for them, it's the best club I've ever been at.”

Mahrez has become synonymous with good scouting after being plucked from French second division side Le Havre before becoming one of European football’s most coveted players.

Leicester remain optimistic of keeping their midfield wizard into next season and hope the lure of Champions League football - a very real prospect owing to the 13-point cushion between themselves and fifth-placed Manchester United - will keep him at the King Power Stadium beyond the summer.

“This is Leicester's best season ever and we just need to keep going,” Mahrez added. “We have the quality and we have the confidence, then when you start winning games you gain even more confidence. That's how football goes.”