Leicester City’s ‘greatest-ever player’ Jamie Vardy to leave club

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Jamie Vardy has said he will be leaving Leicester City this summer after 13 seasons with the club.

The 38-year-old striker played a pivotal role in their 2015/2016 Premier League title-winning season under manager Claudio Ranieri, scoring 24 goals.

He also lifted the FA Cup in 2021 with Brendan Rodgers in charge.

The club described Vardy, who has scored 198 goals in 496 appearances for the Foxes, as “our greatest-ever player”.

Vardy has no plans to retire from football and said he was “gutted” to be leaving in a parting message to Leicester fans.

“I’ve had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some downs but a majority, all highs, but it’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about but I think the timing is right,” Vardy said.

He went on: “I just want to sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own. Leicester will always, always have a massive place in my heart and I’ll make sure that I will be following for the years to come and what I hope will be even more successful for the club.

“But as for now, this is my goodbye but you will see me again soon, I promise. Thank you.”

Vardy’s rise from the fifth tier of English football to its pinnacle has been impressive.

He joined Leicester as a 25-year-old from non-League Fleetwood for £1m in May 2012. He previously played for Stocksbridge Park Steels and FC Halifax Town.

Vardy leaves the Foxes just days after the club’s most recent relegation was confirmed.

After Leicester were relegated from the Premier League, he described the 2024/25 season as “such a s**tshow”.

He apologised to the fans and said: “Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed.”

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Paying tribute to Vardy’s career at Leicester, the club’s chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Jamie is unique. He is a special player and an even more special person.

“He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection.”

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Ranieri in Rome

On the day Vardy announced his retirement, the man who led him to the 5000/1 Premier League title, Ranieri, was in Rome paying tribute to the late Pope Francis.

Ranieri was seen in St Peter’s Basilica with players from his current side Roma.

The group of them lined up in front of where the Pope’s body lay and paid their respects.