Jamie Vardy Confirms Leicester Exit After 13 Iconic Years

After 13 unforgettable years, Jamie Vardy will part ways with Leicester City at the end of the season — but the veteran striker made one thing clear: he’s not hanging up his boots just yet.

Hailed by many as Leicester’s “greatest ever player,” Vardy’s journey from non-league obscurity to Premier League royalty has been nothing short of extraordinary. He arrived at the King Power Stadium back in 2012 from Fleetwood Town for just £1 million and went on to carve out a legacy that will be talked about for decades. Vardy played a central role in Leicester’s fairytale Premier League title triumph in 2016. Across his career with the Foxes, he racked up a remarkable 198 goals in 496 appearances and added seven more for England in his 26 international caps. Even at 33, he proved doubters wrong by becoming the oldest player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2019-20. 

Now 38, Vardy has scored seven goals this season, after netting 18 last year to help Leicester bounce back from relegation. But this campaign has been a rough ride. With the club’s relegation confirmed with five games to go, Vardy didn’t hold back. He called the season a “total embarrassment” and apologized to the fans. Still, in a heartfelt farewell message on social media, Vardy looked back at his journey with immense pride. “I have been here so long that I truly thought it would never end,” he wrote. “This has not only been really difficult for me to write but also a really difficult decision to make. Leicester City has been my second home, my extended family, my life for 13 years. The club, the city, the people, means so much to me and my family.” 

He also touched on the club’s highs — from that unforgettable title win, to their run to the Champions League quarterfinals, to dramatic escape from relegation during the 2014-15 season. “We did the impossible,” he added. “I have memories to last a lifetime.” But Vardy made it clear he’s not done yet. Retirement isn’t on the cards. “I want to keep playing and doing what I enjoy doing most — scoring goals,” he said. “Hopefully there is one or two more for Leicester between now and the end of the season, and many more in the future. I might be 38 but I’ve still got the desire and ambition to achieve so much more.” 

Vardy is believed to be attracting interest from clubs in the MLS, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take on a new challenge abroad.  Meanwhile, Leicester’s struggles continue. Sitting 19th in the Premier League, they’ve lost 16 of their last 18 matches. With Ruud van Nistelrooy’s future uncertain, the club appears headed for another big reset this summer — and now, they’ll have to do it without their talismanic No. 9. 

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