Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester at the end of the season to bring an end to one of the most remarkable stories in English football history.
The 38-year-old joined the Foxes from non-league Fleetwood for £1million in 2012 and went on to become arguably the greatest player in the history of the club.
During his time at King Power Stadium, Vardy helped Leicester win the Premier League and the FA Cup for the first time in their history and also won the Golden Boot in 2020.
Although he turns 39 in January, Mail Sport understands Vardy does not plan to call it a day and has expressed confidence in the past that he can continue playing beyond his 40th birthday.
Whether that is in English football is another matter. Even during a dire season for Leicester, which will end in an immediate return to the Championship, he still led the attack for much of the campaign, scoring eight goals in 32 appearances.
He was trusted by both Steve Cooper and Ruud van Nistelrooy and was one of the few players to emerge with some credit.
Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City at the end of the season after 13 years at the club
Vardy scored 24 goals as the Foxes defied the odds to win the Premier League title in 2015-16
Vardy’s contract expires this summer and he has clocked up 496 appearances for Leicester. If he appears in their final four games of the season, he would reach 500. He stands on 198 goals, which leaves another target within reach.
One of English football’s most colourful characters, Vardy was released by Sheffield Wednesday aged 16 and built his career in English’s football’s midnight zone, first with Stocksbridge Park Steels and then Halifax Town.
Even when he rose to the top of the game, Vardy has never lost that raw edge to his game. He still loves winding up opposition supporters and has to handle taunts towards aimed at him and his family – often relating to the infamous ‘Wagatha Christie’ saga – wherever he goes.
It feels unlikely that Vardy would wish to bow out completely on such a disappointing note. After Leicester’s relegation was confirmed by a 1-0 home defeat against Liverpool on April 20, he posted an emotional message on his social media channels taking responsibility.
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