Jamie Vardy will depart former Premier League champions Leicester on the finish of the season, the relegated membership introduced on Thursday, describing the lightning-quick ahead as their “greatest-ever participant”.
The talismanic striker, a key member of the aspect that lifted the English league title towards seemingly unattainable odds in 2016, vowed to proceed enjoying even on the age of 38.
The previous England worldwide joined the Foxes in 2012 from non-league aspect Fleetwood for £1 million and has scored 198 targets in almost 500 appearances.
The membership captain is Leicester’s document Premier League goalscorer with 143 targets.
He scored 24 instances within the 2015/16 Premier League marketing campaign, serving to the Foxes to their first top-flight title in one of many best shocks in soccer historical past.
Vardy was additionally a part of Leicester’s 2021 FA Cup-winning aspect, who beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.
“We will verify legendary striker Jamie Vardy will depart Leicester Metropolis this summer season after 13 seasons which have seen him turn into our greatest-ever participant,” the membership mentioned in a press release.
“Jamie is exclusive,” mentioned chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.
“He’s a particular participant and an much more particular individual.
“He holds a spot within the hearts of everybody linked to Leicester Metropolis.”
‘Devastated’
Vardy mentioned he was “devastated” to be leaving the Foxes however the timing was proper.
“To the followers of Leicester, I’m gutted that today is coming, however I knew it was going to come back finally,” he mentioned in a video message to followers.
“I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this membership, with a number of success, and a few downs, however the majority have all been highs.”
Vardy, who has scored seven targets in 31 league appearances this season, gave a scathing evaluation of Leicester’s marketing campaign after relegation was confirmed on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat by Liverpool.
“This season has been nothing however depressing and for me personally, a complete embarrassment”, he mentioned in a social media put up.
“It hurts.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s aspect are nineteenth within the desk, having collected simply 18 factors from their 33 matches and are heading again to the Championship after only one season again within the prime division.
Vardy, the final remaining participant from Leicester’s 2016 title success nonetheless on the King Energy Stadium, loved a fairytale rise from the fifth tier of English soccer to the very prime.
He performed his half within the membership’s astonishing escape within the 2014/15 season, once they gained seven of their final 9 video games to flee relegation.
The next season his targets had been a significant factor within the membership’s 5 000/1 title cost underneath Claudio Ranieri – he scored in a document 11 consecutive Premier League fixtures.
His time on the King Energy was additionally marked by tragedy when 5 individuals, together with chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, had been killed in a helicopter crash simply outdoors the stadium in October 2018.
“9 years in the past, we did the unattainable, we gained the Premier League,” Vardy mentioned in a video on his social media channels.
“We then went on to win the FA Cup – that was for you, Vichai.
“We reached the Champions League quarter-finals. Earlier than that, we pulled off the nice escape.”
He added: “My one remorse – and I’m devastated about this – is that I’m not saying farewell to you on the again of a significantly better season. This isn’t the way in which I wished my profession right here to complete.
“Lastly, this isn’t retirement. I need to preserve enjoying and doing what I take pleasure in most, scoring targets.
Leicester, who play Wolves on Saturday, have 5 video games left this season and confirmed Vardy’s ultimate house match can be on Might 18 towards Ipswich, who’re almost sure to be relegated.
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
