The party is now officially over for Jamie Vardy at Leicester City, but it ended in the perfect way and sets him up for his next move brilliantly.
We’ve known for a few weeks now that Jamie Vardy will be leaving Leicester in the summer when his contract comes to an end.
Over the years, Vardy firmly established himself as a Leicester hero; a legend, even. Winning the Premier League and FA Cup with the Foxes helps, of course.
After his latest outing against Ipswich Town this weekend, we will not see Vardy in a Leicester shirt again. But, he capped off his time at the KP Stadium in the most perfect way.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Jamie Vardy ends Leicester City career in style
Despite there being one game left, Vardy’s final game for Leicester was decided to be the home clash with Ipswich for one big reason: It was his 500th appearance for the Foxes.
It had to be, right? How perfect to walk away from the club you love with a nice, round, 500 games under your belt.
What’s more, the game took place on May 18th, which is the anniversary of Jamie Vardy’s initial transfer to Leicester back in 2012.
Statistics Jamie Vardy at Leicester
Appearances 500
Goals 200
Assists 71
All he needed to make the occasion even more special was a goal; a goal that would take his Leicester City tally to 200.
It was written in the stars that Vardy would deliver exactly that, and just before the half-hour mark at the KP Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the 38-year-old sent the crowd into jubilation with a neat finish after a clever run.
From teary tributes before kick-off, to rapturous celebrations after it, it was all a very fitting end to the Vardy fairytale at Leicester. But now, he needs to make a huge decision.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
What’s next for Jamie Vardy?
Vardy himself has been pretty tight-lipped on what his next move will be. There is talk of him wanting to stay in the Premier League as opposed to playing against Leicester in the Championship.
Former teammate Wes Morgan believes we’ll see Vardy in the MLS or in Saudi Arabia next season, with a massive payday surely waiting for the veteran striker if he does choose that route.
Closer to home, Wrexham have ruled themselves out of a move for Vardy. As fun as it would be to see that happen, it’s not quite the perfect closing chapter.
But, a move to Sheffield Wednesday is still on the table for Vardy. We broke the news that he would still be interested in that dream switch, a return to his boyhood club, despite the downside of playing in the second tier.
Honestly, could there be anything more fitting for a man like Jamie Vardy? To come home to Sheffield, have one last dance with the club that released him as a youngster and unwittingly set him on this incredible path to glory.
It might not be where the money is. It might not even be where the glory is (at least not right now). But there can be no better move to bring this unbelievable career to a close.