Leicester City captain and club icon Jamie Vardy will leave the Foxes at the end of the current season after 13 years, but the veteran striker intends to continue his playing career elsewhere. The announcement, made by the club on Thursday, described Vardy as “our greatest ever player.”
Vardy’s departure comes shortly after Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed. The 38-year-old striker joined the club in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood Town and has enjoyed a remarkable career at the King Power Stadium.
He famously fired Leicester to their historic Premier League title in the 2015-16 season, scoring 24 goals during that campaign. Vardy also lifted the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021. He departs as the club’s record Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals and sits third on their all-time scoring list with 198 goals in 498 appearances across all competitions.
“To the fans of Leicester, I’m gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually,” Vardy stated in a video message released by the club. “I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs. It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about, but I think the timing is right.”
Despite his age and the team’s recent struggles, Vardy made it clear he is not retiring. “This isn’t retirement. I want to keep on playing and doing what I enjoy most – scoring goals,” he added. “I may be 38 but I still have the desire and ambition to achieve so much more.”
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy paid tribute to the departing captain, saying Vardy had stuck with the club “through thick and thin” and “achieved everything.” He added, “For his next manager, he is one of the most open and honest people I have met… He isn’t hard to manage.”
Vardy recently described Leicester’s relegation season, which sees them 19th with just 18 points, as “miserable” and a “total embarrassment.” His final home game is scheduled for May 18th against Ipswich Town.
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