Jamie Vardy To Leave Leicester City After 13 Years, Could Join MLS
Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City at the end of the season after 13 memorable years with the club but has confirmed he has no plans to retire from professional football.
The 38-year-old striker, widely regarded as Leicester\'s greatest-ever player, was instrumental in the club\'s improbable Premier League title win in 2016 and their FA Cup triumph in 2021. Despite signing a 12-month extension last summer following Leicester\'s Championship promotion, this season has proven difficult, with relegation already confirmed with five games remaining.
Vardy\'s remarkable journey from non-league football to Premier League stardom began when he joined Leicester from Fleetwood Town for £1 million in 2012. He has since scored 198 goals in 496 appearances for the Foxes and became the oldest player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2019-20 season at age 33.
\"I have been here so long that I truly thought it would never end,\" Vardy wrote in a social media farewell message. \"This has not only been really difficult for me to write but also a really difficult decision to make. Leicester City has been my second home, my extended family, my life for 13 years.\"
The forward is reportedly drawing interest from Major League Soccer in the United States as he looks to continue his playing career.
\"I want to keep playing and doing what I enjoy doing most, scoring goals. I might be 38 but I\'ve still got the desire and ambition to achieve so much more,\" he added.
Leicester\'s chair, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, 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.\"