Jamie Vardy to go away Leicester Metropolis at finish of the season

Jamie Vardy will depart Leicester Metropolis on the finish of the season, the already-relegated Premier League membership confirmed on Thursday.

Vardy, 38, has painted himself into Leicester folklore throughout his 13 years main the road, scoring 198 objectives in 495 appearances and taking part in a pivotal function in a miraculous Premier League title triumph in 2016.

The England worldwide has additionally collected an FA Cup, Group Defend and two Championship titles with the Foxes, and has been hailed as their “greatest-ever participant” in a membership assertion.

“I have been right here so lengthy that I actually by no means thought it could finish, so this has not solely been actually troublesome for me to put in writing but additionally a very troublesome determination to make,” Vardy mentioned in a video revealed on his social media.

“Leicester Metropolis has been my second house and my prolonged household and my life for 13 years. The membership, town, the folks imply a lot to me and my household. It is a spot that has formed the lives of our youngsters who’ve been so fortunate to name Leicester house for therefore lengthy. However for me the time has come to say goodbye.”

Vardy’s final marketing campaign with Leicester hasn’t been a memorable one, with the membership’s relegation already confirmed. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s aspect sit nineteenth with simply 18 factors, and Vardy’s final sport for the membership will probably be on Could 18 towards Ipswich City.

He insists he isn’t but calling time on his profession.

“My solely remorse, and I am devastated about this, is that I am not saying farewell to you [the fans] on the again of a a lot better season,” Vardy added. “This is not the best way I wished my profession right here to complete.

“This is not retirement. I wish to maintain taking part in and doing my take pleasure in most: Scoring objectives. Hopefully there are a number of extra for Leicester between now and the top of the season and lots of extra sooner or later. I is perhaps 38 however I nonetheless have the will and ambition to attain a lot extra.”

Vardy has scored simply seven objectives for Leicester this season, along with his greatest marketing campaign for the membership coming in 2015-16 when he struck up an excellent relationship with Riyad Mahrez on the best way to a shock league title. Leicester have been 5000-1 outsiders heading into the season.

“Jamie is exclusive,” acknowledged Leicester Metropolis Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. “He’s a particular participant and an much more particular individual. He holds a spot within the hearts of everybody related to Leicester Metropolis, and he definitely has my deepest respect and affection.

“On behalf of everybody at Leicester Metropolis, I want Jamie and his household the perfect for the long run and I do know our supporters will be part of us in giving him the send-off he deserves on the finish of this season.”