Synopsis
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy will part ways with the club after the 2024-25 season, concluding a 13-year career that has established him as a club legend. Throughout his tenure, he scored 198 goals and was integral to the 2016 Premier League title win.Key Takeaways
- Jamie Vardy to leave Leicester City post-2024-25 season.
- Vardy scored 198 goals in 495 matches for the club.
- He played a key role in Leicester's 2016 Premier League victory.
- Vardy expressed his emotional farewell to the fans.
- He aims to continue playing beyond Leicester.
Leicester, April 24 (NationPress) Striker Jamie Vardy is set to depart Leicester City following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, marking the end of a remarkable 13-year tenure with The Foxes, during which he has established himself as the club's all-time greatest player. The 38-year-old forward has firmly etched his legacy into Leicester City’s history over this astonishing period. He scored 198 goals across 495 appearances and played a pivotal role in their unforgettable Premier League championship triumph in 2016.
The former England international also claimed the FA Cup, Community Shield, and two Championship titles with the team. 'Having been here for so long, I never imagined it would come to an end, making this announcement incredibly challenging for me,' Vardy expressed in a video shared on his social media platforms.
'Leicester City has been my second home and my extended family for 13 years. The club, the city, and the community are incredibly significant to my family and me. It has shaped our children’s lives, who have been fortunate to call Leicester home for so long. However, the time has come for me to bid farewell,' he continued.
Vardy’s final season at Leicester has not been without its challenges, as the club's relegation has already been confirmed. Under the management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the team currently sits at 19th in the league, having accumulated only 18 points.
He is expected to play his last match for The Foxes on May 18 against Ipswich Town. Despite the difficult circumstances, he has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring just yet.
'My only regret, and it pains me greatly, is that I am not bidding farewell to you (the fans) at the end of a more prosperous season. This isn’t how I envisioned concluding my career here,' Vardy remarked.
'This is not retirement. I wish to continue playing and doing what I love most: scoring goals. I hope to add a few more for Leicester before the season wraps up and many more in the future. At 38, I still possess the drive and ambition to achieve much more.'
This season, Vardy has recorded only seven goals for Leicester, a stark contrast to his standout campaign in 2015-16. That year, he forged a remarkable partnership with Riyad Mahrez as the team defied all expectations, starting the season as underdogs to clinch a sensational Premier League title.
'Jamie is one of a kind. He is not only a special player but an even more remarkable individual. He holds a cherished place in the hearts of everyone associated with Leicester City, and he certainly has my utmost respect and affection,' stated Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.
'On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I wish Jamie and his family the very best for the future, and I am confident our supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he truly deserves as the season concludes.'
