The Stockton-on-Tees defender was snapped up for £500,000 by Martin O'Neill from Oxford United to plug the gap left by Steve Walsh, who'd been injured on the opening day of the 1999-2000 season.
He partnered Matt Elliott at the heart of the Foxes defence, who he'd played alongside at Oxford, but took some time to adapt to the fast pace of the Premier League. Adapt he did, however, and he finished that first season in strong fashion before carrying on where he left off the following campaign, under Peter Taylor.
However, Gilchrist caught the attention of West Brom and he moved on deadline day towards the end of that campaign, the Baggies giving City back the £500,000 they forked out for his services.
He did well with West Brom, helping them to the play-offs in his first season and then automatic promotion the year after before he moved to Rotherham United on-loan. His career took him full circle, rejoining Oxford before finishing his career with Quorn.