Jamie Vardy to leave Leicester City as club's 'greatest ever player'
Leicester City have announced captain Jamie Vardy will be leaving the club this summer after 13 years.
The striker joined the Foxes in 2012 for £1 million pounds and played a pivotal role in the team winning the Premier League in 2016. in the same year he was named the Football Writers' Association Football of the Year.
The 38-year-old also won the FA Cup with the team in 2021.
He is now the club's third top goalscorer of all time, behind Arthur Chandler and Arthur Rowley.
Vardy’s final game at King Power Stadium will be on Sunday, May 18, against Ipswich Town.
Vardy spoke about the announcement in an emotional video from the club:
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester City chairman, praised Vardy for his time at the club over the years.
He 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. I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this Football Club.
“Although Jamie’s time with us as a player is ending, he and his family will always be welcomed back to King Power Stadium with open arms after all he has achieved.
"On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I wish Jamie and his family the very best for the future and I know our supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves at the end of this season.”
As well as scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy's record, he also netted a maiden goal for his country in Germany in a 3-2 victory in Berlin.
As well as rising to the status of England international, the pacy striker has hit double figures in all but one of his top-flight seasons as a Fox and is the club's all-time highest Premier League goalscorer.
In total, he has earned 26 caps for England, scoring seven goals.
With so many iconic, memorable and simply stunning strikes among them, Vardy's overall Leicester City tally in all competitions currently stands at 190 goals.
Vardy also has two Championship titles during his 12 years in the East Midlands, alongside the Premier League, FA Cup and FA Community Shield trophies.
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