Vardy confirms Leicester City departure

Vardy joined Leicester from Fleetwood Town in 2012, for a non-league record fee of £1million.

He went on to score 198 goals in 496 appearances for the club across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in their promotion from the Championship in 2014 and their remarkable Premier League title success two years later.

The 38-year-old scored 20 goals in all competitions last season as the Foxes immediately returned to the top flight following their relegation in 2023, but he has been unable to help Leicester avoid a swift return to the Championship, with their relegation having been confirmed last week.

On Thursday, it was announced Vardy will be leaving Leicester upon the expiration of his contract.

"To the fans of Leicester, I'm gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually," said Vardy on a video posted to Leicester's social media channels.

"I've spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs.

"It's finally time to call it a day, which I'm devastated about it, but I think the timing is right."

Simply the best pic.twitter.com/zOGLgp2ZBO

— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 24, 2025

Vardy is Leicester's third-highest goalscorer, after Arthur Chandler (273) and Arthur Rowley (265).

The former England international is the club's record scorer in the Premier League, with 143 goals, and the Foxes' record appearance-maker in the competition (338).

Only seven players have scored more Premier League goals for one club than Vardy has for Leicester, while his best goalscoring season in all competitions came when he plundered 24 in 2015-16, as the figurehead of Claudio Ranieri's title-winning campaign.

He also counts an FA Cup among his honours, having been part of the team that won the trophy under Brendan Rodgers in 2021.

Since Vardy made his Premier League debut in August 2014, only Mohamed Salah (182) and Harry Kane (210) have scored more goals in the top flight.

Vardy was a late bloomer, having been 25 when he joined Leicester from Fleetwood. Of his 143 Premier League goals, 109 have come after his 30th birthday.

No other player has scored as many goals in the competition while aged 30+, with Vardy 16 clear of next-best Ian Wright (93).