Leicester legend Jamie Vardy confirms summer exit after club’s relegation and 13 historic seasons

Jamie Vardy, Leicester City’s talismanic striker and arguably the club’s greatest-ever player, has confirmed he will leave the Foxes this summer after 13 unforgettable seasons.

The 38-year-old made the announcement just days after Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, closing the chapter on one of English football’s most extraordinary journeys. From non-League obscurity to Premier League glory, Vardy has embodied the spirit of a club that dared to dream.

Vardy signed for Leicester in May 2012 from Fleetwood Town for £1 million—a record fee for a non-League player at the time. Few could have predicted what followed: 198 goals in 496 appearances, a Premier League title in 2015/16, and an FA Cup triumph in 2021.

“It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about, but I think the timing is right,” Vardy told fans in an emotional message. “I’ve had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some downs but a majority, all highs. Leicester will always, always have a massive place in my heart.”

Vardy, who has no plans to retire from football altogether, added: “You’ll see me again soon, I promise. Thank you for taking me in as one of your own.”

The striker’s rise is one of football’s great underdog tales. A former factory worker, he began his senior career at Stocksbridge Park Steels before moving through FC Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town. At 25, he joined Leicester as an unproven striker from the fifth tier of English football. Three years later, he spearheaded the most unlikely title charge in Premier League history.

Under Claudio Ranieri’s management in 2015/16, Vardy’s relentless pace and goal-scoring prowess propelled Leicester to a 5000/1 title win. He scored 24 league goals that season, broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record by scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games, and became a household name.

He also played a key role in the club’s FA Cup victory in 2021 under Brendan Rodgers, further cementing his legacy.

In his parting statement, Vardy didn’t hold back in describing the club’s recent relegation from the top flight. “The 2024/25 season was such a s**tshow,” he said bluntly. “Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. I apologise to all the fans.”

Leicester City’s chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, paid tribute to Vardy’s influence both on and off the pitch. “Jamie is unique. He is a special player and an even more special person,” he said. “He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City.”

As Vardy prepares for a new chapter in his career, the club and its fans are left to reflect on an era that defied all logic. From the fringes of English football to the summit of the Premier League, Vardy’s story remains one of grit, resilience, and magic.

Fittingly, on the day of Vardy’s announcement, Claudio Ranieri was in Rome paying tribute to the late Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica. The Italian coach, now managing Roma, stood solemnly with his players before the Pope’s resting place—a moment of quiet respect from the man who once guided Leicester to footballing immortality.

While Leicester City faces the uncertainty of rebuilding after relegation, one thing remains certain: Jamie Vardy’s name will echo through the corridors of King Power Stadium for decades to come.