Jamie Vardy: The Premier League’s Ultimate Underdog Says Goodbye to Leicester City
Ian Wright once described Jamie Vardy as “a non-league player playing in the Premier League”– a hardworking forward who constantly created problems for defenders, relying on instinct rather than being moulded by any manager.
On Thursday, the former England striker announced he would be leaving already relegated Leicester City at the end of the 2024–2025 season. Earlier this week, the Leicester captain called the club’s relegation from the Premier League “miserable and a total embarrassment.”
These are the words of a man who held the club in high esteem, loved it with all his heart, and chose to stay for what he called “13 unbelievable years.”
A Historic Career at Leicester
Now 38 years old, Jamie Vardy departs Leicester City as their all-time Premier League top scorer, with 143 goals in 498 appearances. His most iconic season was 2015–16, when he scored 24 goals to help Leicester win their first-ever top-flight title.
While stars like Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté moved on, Vardy chose to remain, despite offers from top clubs, including Arsenal.
Vardy’s signature move – arching his run off the last defender – was a menace to Premier League defences. In 18 appearances, he scored 11 goals against Arsenal, 10 goals against Tottenham, and 5 goals against Manchester United – proof that the man from Stocksbridge was a thorn in the side of England’s elite.
Current Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca summed it up perfectly when he said,
“He is fantastic, and people will never know how good he was. I know England has been quite lucky with strikers – Kane, Rooney, and many others—but if you ask me, he has been the best one.”
Saying Vardy is better than Rooney or Kane might draw laughter, but Leicester fans would agree, especially when you look at the numbers. Vardy’s 143 Premier League goals put him ahead of some of the biggest names to ever grace the division, including Didier Drogba (104), Cristiano Ronaldo (103), Fernando Torres (85), Luis Suarez (69), and others.
What makes his achievement even more remarkable is that while most of these players featured for multiple clubs or belonged to the traditional Big Six, Vardy remained loyal to Leicester City throughout his Premier League journey, delivering at the highest level without the support systems of a footballing giant.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy put it best:
“Through thick and thin, he has achieved everything. Now he can go and enjoy these last years with his family.”
Vardy stayed with Leicester during both their triumphs and their struggles. He was there during the ‘Great Escape’ under Nigel Pearson, helped them win the title, and now sees the club relegated again with just 18 points from 33 matches.
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Having played 496 times for Leicester since joining from Fleetwood Town in 2012, Vardy was crucial in their title-winning campaign and set a record by scoring in 11 straight matches. He is widely seen as the greatest player in Leicester City’s history.
“This Isn’t Retirement” – James Vardy
Vardy’s final game for Leicester will be on May 18th against Ipswich at the King Power Stadium – a match expected to be emotional and unforgettable.
But this isn’t the end of his playing career. Vardy has confirmed:
“This isn’t retirement—I want to keep playing and doing what I enjoy most: scoring goals. I may be 38, but I’ve still got the desire and ambition to achieve so much more.”
From earning £30 a week, signing his first pro deal at 23, and playing non-league football until 25, to winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Community Shield, Jamie Vardy has done it all.
A late bloomer, but a once-in-a-generation story – one football will never forget.
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