KYLE Callan-McFadden is looking forward to his second season at Leiston after signing from King’s Lynn Town last summer.

The Blues defender made 41 appearances in all competitions in the 2025/2026 campaign, netting one goal, which came early on in August at home to Redditch United in a 2-0 win for Chris Wigger’s men.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time since joining Leiston, there is a great group of lads and staff at the club and it was easy to settle in," McFadden said.

“Before last season started, we spoke about being in a transition period as a squad, with new players coming in and some players moving on for various reasons.”

Callan-McFadden, who won the FA Youth Cup with Norwich City as the Canaries beat Chelsea in 2013, also went on to make his professional debut for the club in August 2014 when he helped Norwich defeat Crawley Town in the Second Round of the League Cup, in a 3-1 victory.

Talking of Leiston's efforts last season, he said: “I think falling short of play-offs last season is naturally disappointing and if we had turned two or three of our draws into wins we’d have achieved that but that should also give us more hunger to turn those draws into wins during the season ahead.”

The defender, 31, who made more than 100 appearances for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division before playing 158 times for King’s Lynn Town between 2020 and 2025, remains positive as pre-season games get under way and the competitive season is on the horizon.

“I managed to head it and kick it most of last season so personally think I done well as a centre-half. I’m really looking forward to it all kicking off again," he said.

“I’ve been spending time with away with my family, going away on a couple of holidays if I can and it’s nice to switch off mentally from football for a bit. But after a couple of weeks, if I’m being honest, I find myself getting the itch to get back to it."

Callan-McFadden played at Kirkley & Pakefield last Tuesday as the Blues won 8-0 on the 3G surface in North Suffolk while the defender missed the win on Friday night as Leiston put in another impressive performance as the side won 4-2 at Isthmian Premier Division side Aveley.