Leicester City’s legendary striker Jamie Vardy has announced he will depart the club at the end of the season, bringing to a close a remarkable 13-year journey that saw him rise from non-league football to Premier League champion and club icon.
Vardy, 38, joined the Foxes in 2012 from Fleetwood Town and went on to become Leicester’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals. In total, he has netted 198 times in 498 appearances — an extraordinary tally that has left an indelible mark on the club’s history.
Announcing the news on Thursday, Leicester paid tribute to their long-serving captain, calling him “our greatest ever player.”
The striker’s career is one of football’s most inspiring tales. From his pivotal role in Leicester’s incredible 2015-16 title-winning season — where he scored 24 goals — to lifting the FA Cup in 2021, Vardy’s name is etched into football folklore. Notably, his record-breaking streak of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games in 2015 still stands.
Reflecting on his time at the club in an emotional video, Vardy said, “To the fans of Leicester, I’m gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually. I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs.”
“This isn’t retirement,” he clarified. “I want to keep on playing and doing what I enjoy most — scoring goals. I may be 38 but I still have the desire and ambition to achieve so much more.”
Vardy’s influence extended beyond the pitch. Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over during a turbulent season that saw the Foxes relegated, praised Vardy’s loyalty and character. “He stuck with the club through thick and thin. He has achieved everything and now can go and enjoy these last years with his family,” Van Nistelrooy said.
Despite a difficult season that Vardy described as “miserable” and a “total embarrassment,” the striker’s commitment never wavered. He scored seven goals in 31 appearances in the current campaign and continued to serve as club captain.
His final match at the King Power Stadium is set for May 18, when Leicester host Ipswich. It promises to be an emotional farewell for a player who defied the odds and helped redefine what was possible in modern football.
As Vardy prepares to leave, the football world watches with admiration. Whether it was the 5,000-1 title triumph, his Golden Boot-winning season in 2019-20, or his underdog spirit, Jamie Vardy’s legacy at Leicester City is secure — and legendary.
