Leicester sealed the league title with a 3-0 win at Preston North End on Monday evening.
The Foxes’ place in the top flight was assured last Friday after Leeds’ defeat at QPR, and the team knew a win would see them win the Championship, which they did with aplomb.
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Club legend Jamie Vardy scored twice before Kasey McAteer finished from close range to cap a stress-free evening in what has been an extremely stressful campaign for Leicester.
The 2015/16 Premier League champions have been accused of an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules and, although they avoided an immediate points deduction, there are fears they will receive one on their return in the big time.
But for now, the feeling will be one of elation for Enzo Maresca’s men, who are back in the Premier League for the first time after their relegation last season.
The result leaves Leicester an unassailable seven points clear at the top of the Championship, with Leeds and Ipswich both tied on 90 points and having just one and two games remaining in the Championship season respectively.
This is Leicester’s eighth time as second-tier champions, putting them ahead of Manchester City for the second-tier league titles.
Speaking after the win, Leicester hero Vardy told Sky Sports: “Unbelievable, we knew it was going to be a tough game.
“We did the job, very professionally. You can see the celebrations with the fans, it’s great.”
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added: “We’ve been waiting for this moment all season. You can see the crowd, they deserve this moment because it’s been a long season.
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“They’ve been here and there and I’m so happy we can give them an evening like this.”
Leicester were hot favorites to secure an instant return to the Premier League given the quality and experience of their squad.
At one point it looked like they were going to win the title, but a period of poor form made that far from a certainty.
However, despite pressure from Ipswich and Leeds, Leicester returned to winning ways and can now celebrate their latest achievement.
The Foxes host Blackburn Rovers at the King Power Stadium on Saturday on the final day of the Championship season, where a win will take them to 100 points.
It will also offer them the chance to lift the Championship trophy in front of their fans before their return to the top flight.
