Jamie Vardy and Leicester City: The End of a Legendary Run
Here’s something you don’t see every season: the face of Leicester City, Jamie Vardy, packing his bags after 13 unforgettable years. The breakup comes just as the Foxes are coming to terms with dropping into the Championship, sitting second from bottom in the Premier League table. Vardy’s exit doesn’t just mark the end of a contract—it draws a line under one of the most remarkable football journeys the league has ever seen.
Think about it: when Vardy first rocked up at the King Power Stadium in 2012, the idea of him lifting the Premier League trophy seemed like a fever dream. Fast-forward to 2016, and he’s the man leading the charge, netting 24 goals that season and snapping a record by scoring in 11 straight games. That was the year Leicester pulled off what’s still the biggest shock in Premier League history—winning the title when they started the season as 5,000-to-1 outsiders.
Vardy didn’t just turn up for the fairytale moments. He’s been there every step of the way, logging more than 400 club appearances and hammering home 198 goals. Fans saw him spark Leicester’s rise from the Championship, help them lift their first-ever FA Cup in 2021, and secure two Championship promotions. If you ask anyone in Leicester about football legends, Vardy’s name comes up first—no contest.
An Emotional Goodbye and a Lasting Legacy
The farewell hasn’t been easy for Vardy. He called writing his official goodbye "really difficult," saying he never truly thought the day would come. For him, Leicester wasn’t just an employer—it became his "second home," a place where the fans had his back from start to finish. That relationship was mutual. The club described him as their “greatest-ever player,” and there’s not much to argue with when you look at his record: he’s cracked the list of the top 15 Premier League scorers, notching 143 goals in the competition.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy—himself no stranger to the headlines—summed it up: Vardy is "in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City." And you can see why. Not every player sticks around after the glory fades, but Vardy kept running, chasing every ball, and grabbing crucial goals even as the squad slipped down the table. He became Leicester’s heartbeat, the player young fans grew up idolizing.
His last hurrah in a Foxes shirt will be against Ipswich Town on May 18. After that, Vardy won’t hang up his boots just yet—he’s looking to play on, though where he’ll land next is still a mystery. One thing’s for sure: no matter where he goes, Leicester City and Premier League fans won’t forget the impact he made in blue.
- Jamie Vardy scored 198 goals in 495 matches for Leicester.
- He played a vital role in Leicester’s 2016 Premier League triumph and 2021 FA Cup win.
- Vardy is the 15th highest scorer in Premier League history.
- His story sums up what people love about football—heart, loyalty, and the belief that anything can happen.