First goal in year for striker after boy kisses boot

Teddy, wearing lots of Leicester City clothing and holding Patson Daka's shirtImage source, Family handout
Image caption,

Teddy was given Patson Daka's matchday shirt on Saturday

  • Published

A boy who kissed the boots of Leicester City's Patson Daka before he scored his first goal of the season was the player's "lucky charm", his dad has said.

Teddy got to meet his favourite player after he was invited to the Championship side's match against Stoke City on Saturday.

The 10-year-old, who has Alström syndrome and is severely visually impaired, was invited to the game to test out the club's audio descriptive commentary service.

Before the match he was given a tour of the dressing room and took his chance to give his favourite player a bit of extra luck, kissing his right boot.

The visit to King Power Stadium was organised after Teddy's family bumped into a member of staff from the club, while on holiday.

He was given the chance to meet his idol, and was taken into the boot room by the kitman.

Teddy wearing Leicester City clothes kissing a pink bootImage source, Family handout
Image caption,

Teddy gave Daka's right boot a kiss before the match

"Patson is a great role model because he has real power," Teddy said.

"Just for luck, I thought I'm going to kiss his boot and then in the 44th minute he scored.

"I felt great - it was amazing.

"I had a small bit to play. Patson did everything, all I had to do was kiss the boot."

Teddy, from Quorn in Leicestershire, has Alström syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which can involve progressively deteriorating vision and hearing loss.

He was seen as a good person to test out the club's audio descriptive commentary service, in which fans are given a headset to listen to the match while in the stands.

Two football players wearing blue undershirts with their arms around a boy, wearing a woolly hat and sunglassesImage source, Leicester City
Image caption,

Teddy met Abdul Fatawu and Daka after the game on Saturday

Charity Alström Syndrome UK said it knew of about 90 individuals in the country who were diagnosed with the condition.

Teddy's dad, Philip, said watching his son meet the players was a "special moment".

"I couldn't believe it when the goal went in, it was unbelievable," he said.

"He was the lucky charm.

"Teddy said it was the best day of his life.

"To share it with him and to see his face - you can't put a price on that."

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