In the summer of 2003, he earned a free-transfer move to Premier League Southampton. Initially, Kenton’s early-season performances earned praise, including being described as 'outstanding' even in defeat to Chelsea in May 2004. However, injuries and fierce competition limited his impact. Over three seasons, he made 29 league appearances but failed to score in league play, although he netted once in the FA Cup against MK Dons in January 2006.

Upon release from Southampton in May 2006, Kenton signed for Leicester City, where he'd previously been on loan. During his two-year spell there, he made 33 league appearances and scored twice. His 2006/07 season began strongly, but was disrupted by an own goal and injury setbacks. Still, he managed to find the net twice late in the campaign — against Stoke City and later Norwich— before being placed on the transfer list in June 2007.

With limited playing opportunities and shifts in squad selection under manager Martin Allen, Kenton found himself seldom used during late 2007. That changed in January 2008 when he secured a one-month loan move to Leeds United, then competing in League One.

Manager Dennis Wise wanted to sign Kenton to plug the gap left by Rui Marques' African Nations Cup call-up. Kenton’s arrival at Leeds United on 10 January 2008 was intended to reinforce a defensive unit in need of reinvigoration. He made his debut a few days later and impressed enough that, within weeks, his Leicester contract was terminated by mutual consent (31 January 2008), allowing him to join Leeds on a permanent basis. By then, Gary McAllister had replaced Wise, who left for a backroom role at Newcastle

During the latter half of the 2007/08 season, Kenton featured 16 times in League One, contributing consistently across defence as Leeds pushed toward a play-off qualification. His versatility — capable of shifting across the back line — made him a useful squad member in a campaign marked by transitional tactics and tight margins.

Leeds finished fourth in League One, thus qualifying for the play-offs. Despite Kenton’s involvement in the regular season, he was omitted from the play-off squad and played no part in the semi-final campaign. Shortly afterwards, at season’s end, Leeds opted not to renew his contract and released him in May 2008.

After his Leeds exit, Kenton signed for Cheltenham Town in October 2008, linking up again with manager Martin Allen. At Cheltenham he made 13 league appearances and scored once — in a thrilling 4–3 win over Colchester United on 11 October 2008 — before rejecting an extended contract and departing in January 2009. He then moved overseas, signing with Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division in April 2009. Across 14 appearances there, he scored one goal before retiring at the end of the season and returning to England, later pursuing a career in modelling and personal training.

Looking back over Kenton’s football career, Norwich City was the foundation where he combined consistency and maturity. His decade-long experience through Southampton and Leicester gave him Premier League and Championship-level exposure — even if injuries and rotation limited his impact at times. Yet it was his brief period at Leeds United that presented his only taste of English League One football at a prominent club striving for promotion.

Arriving amid upheaval and expectation, Kenton offered tactical flexibility and professionalism, adapting quickly to a back-line reshaped mid-season. Though he made only around a dozen appearances, that tenure came when Leeds were desperately rebuilding and seeking solidity. His release at the end of the campaign was part of the continued turnover required under financial constraints and changing managerial decisions.

Kenton’s broader legacy is that of a solid-though-unspectacular Football League defender — dependable, versatile, and willing to step into difficult circumstances. He demonstrated adaptability throughout his career, playing for six clubs across three tiers of English football and even overseas. His clean disciplinary record (just three yellow cards across his Leeds season) reflects a no-nonsense, committed defensive style.