Jamie Vardy has announced he will depart Leicester City after the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, marking the end of a truly extraordinary career in Premier League history.
The 37-year-old, who notably ascended from non-league anonymity to Premier League champion, revealed his choice in a heartfelt video shared by Leicester on Thursday afternoon.
His exit will signify the conclusion of a 13-year tenure at the club, during which he netted 181 goals in 460 matches across all competitions and emerged as a symbol of Leicester’s contemporary era.
Vardy transferred to Leicester from Fleetwood Town in 2012 for £1 million—a record transfer fee for a non-league player at that time. He faced a challenging first season at Championship level but would later lead Leicester to promotion, survival, and ultimately the championship.
"Each time I advanced to a new level, I was caught off guard, but when it occurred, I ensured I worked as diligently as possible to remain there," Vardy remarked.
His pivotal moment occurred in the 2015/16 season, as he netted 24 league goals to assist Claudio Ranieri’s 5000-1 underdogs secure the Premier League title in an astonishing victory.
That year, Vardy established a Premier League record by netting goals in 11 straight matches, a milestone that remains unbroken to this day.
He concluded the 2019/20 season as the Premier League Golden Boot winner with 23 goals, becoming the oldest player to ever receive the honor. Vardy netted 136 goals in the Premier League, ranking him 14th on the all-time scorers list, ahead of players like Didier Drogba and Robin van Persie.
In 2016, he received the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award and accumulated 26 caps for England, netting 7 goals before retiring from international play in 2018.
A statement from Leicester stated: “Jamie will always be a legend of Leicester City." His journey, from non-league player to Premier League champion, is a tale for football legends—and a constant source of pride for all associated with the club.
Vardy was not a regular starter under Enzo Maresca as the Foxes achieved a return to the Premier League last season, yet he contributed with key goals while being a vital presence both on and off the field.
His shift to a position in the supporting cast at the King Power Stadium indicated that his City career was coming to a natural end for the 38-year-old forward, but it’s important to recall the excellence he contributed to the league during his prime.
Ex-Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has previously commented on the unique aspects of Vardy’s career, commending him for the unselfish work ethic that enabled him to reach the pinnacle of professional football.
He stated: “I believe he's a genuine symbol of Leicester and of the league. His path – entering professional football at 25 and netting his inaugural Premier League goal at 27, before going on to score the goals he has and making the impact he has made – he is truly a one-of-a-kind player.
His work ethic is remarkable, and he provides defenders no moment of respite, relentlessly pursuing any lost opportunities.
"He aims to net goals, but he also wishes to set up goals." He is an exceptionally unselfish player. The effort he contributes to the team, both in his pressing and in creating assists, reflects a mindset that differs from many strikers who solely focus on scoring and prioritize their own interests.
Jamie Vardy will depart Leicester as arguably the club's finest player ever – a leading goalscorer, a Premier League winner, and the symbol of their remarkable ascent.
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