In July 2017, following the departure of club skipper Darren Fletcher to Stoke City, Evans was confirmed permanent captaincy by head coach Tony Pulis. He scored his first goal of the season on 30 September 2017 in a 2–2 draw against Watford, an alike header of the one he scored ten months earlier against the same opponent. His second goal of the season was against Brighton at home on 13 January 2018, which brought his side's first league win across 5 months and 20 games. In June 2018, Leicester City activated Evan's relegation release clause in his contract with West Bromwich Albion for £3.5 million. He signed a three-year contract. He made his Leicester debut in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 August 2018. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on 23 February 2019. Despite having not yet made his senior debut for Manchester United, Evans was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in September 2006, making his debut in the memorable 3–2 victory over Spain. Evans has since retained his place in the squad and has made over 60 appearances. On 28 March 2009, Evans scored his first international goal in a 3–2 win over Poland in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), volleyed home from close range. On 28 May 2016, Evans was included in Northern Ireland's final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016 by national team manager Michael O'Neill. This was the first time Northern Ireland had ever been involved in the finals of the competition, and their first major tournament since the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Northern Ireland eventually reached the last 16, being knocked out by Wales in a 1–0 defeat. Evans participated in all four games Northern Ireland played in this tournament. His second international goal came 8 years after the first one on 4 September 2017, scoring a backward header against Czech Republic. The game finished a 2–0 victory to his side and consolidated their good form in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA). Northern Ireland reached the playoff stage of the qualification, seeing the best chance of returning to the competition for the first time in 32-year. However, in the first leg they suffered from a controversial penalty decision made by Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, he deems Evans' young brother Corry handled the ball and booked him for that so he would miss the second leg, where the ball clearly struck Corry's shoulder. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill claimed it was the worst decision he had ever seen in a game he had been involved in.