Leicestershire

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Former Leicester City defender Michael Morrison says Jamie Vardy's departure will mark "the end of a chapter" at the club but believes the record-breaking striker will leave behind a "massive legacy" at King Power Stadium.

Since signing for the club in May 2012, Vardy has won a Premier League title, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and two promotions from the Championship.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Morrison said: "I was looking at how many games he has played and it is just incredible. I can't think of anybody that has played that many games for one club in the last 10 years.

"Then it is amazing to back it up with how many goals he has scored, the accolades he has received and the record-breaking runs he has gone on.

"It is the end of a chapter for Leicester City as a football club. He's also the last remaining player that was involved in the team that won the Premier League, so that is another closing door.

"I think his legacy is massive - and as a player you can only be proud of that.

"When he looks back at his Leicester City career, I think he will be amazed at what he has achieved. He wouldn't have thought he would have had this much success in his wildest dreams.

"I'm sure this isn't how Jamie Vardy saw his Leicester City career finishing. It is a really difficult moment to be celebrating such a legend because it's off the back of a really disappointing season.

"I do think it will be a bit of a strange atmosphere for some but the club is strong enough and it has bounced back plenty of times, so I definitely think Sunday should be used as a celebration for what Jamie Vardy has done over the last 13 years."

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Former Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton thinks there is no doubt Jamie Vardy has left a legacy behind at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy will leave Leicester at the end of the season after 13 years at the club, with his 200th - and final - game coming against Ipswich on Sunday.

"I think the way the fans could relate to him made him quite unique," Albrighton told BBC East Midlands.

"He was somebody that went out every game and gave 100%. He wound the fans up, he was lively in and amongst opponents and I think the fans loved that. I think he brought the non-league to the Premier League in some respects.

"His numbers speak for themselves and his goalscoring record is fantastic considering he came in to the professional game so late. It is certainly something he is going to be remembered for and he will have a legacy for a long time at Leicester City Football Club."

Albrighton played alongside Vardy for 10 years, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and promotion back to the top flight last season.

He added: "Over the few years that we played together we didn't even have to think, he [Vardy] knew where I was going to put the ball and I knew exactly the run he was going to make and it just seemed to click. He certainly made my job a lot easier.

"It's obviously going to be such a special day [on Sunday] and I've said this to him, 'just enjoy it.' There's times where he can shy away from his achievements and when he does achieve these outstanding things that's when he's at his most vulnerable."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns. Ricardo Pereira could make his return from a minor muscle injury but his availability will need to be assessed in training today and tomorrow.

• Jeremy Monga has impressed in his recent substitute appearances, with the winger putting out his "best performance" against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Van Nistelrooy added: "You can see him growing into these opportunities. He is a young lad that also has to adapt to playing in these kinds of atmospheres."

• He is happy with the development his side have shown in their last five games, adding: "It is visible in the performances, the points, the goals scored and goals conceded. We can't take away the disappointment of relegation but I'm happy with how the players have been performing."

• There is "extra motivation to do well" against Ipswich Town because the Foxes will be competing against Kieran McKenna's side in the Championship next season.

• When told that Leicester City would record their worst points return in a Premier League season if they don't win their final two games, he responded: "Thanks for sharing that, it is a good motivation."

• After the club announcement that Jamie Vardy's final game for Leicester City would be this weekend, Van Nistelrooy confirmed it was the striker's decision to round off his time at the club on home turf.

• Vardy will be "leading the team out" on Sunday and they are ready to give their Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and two-time Championship promotion winner "the best possible send-off" after his 13-year stint at the club.

• On whether the focus will be on getting the striker his 200th Leicester City goal, he said: "He is preparing to win the game, that's what he does. He has been so good at what he does over the years because of this mindset. We aren't going to see any other Vardy than we have always seen - and I love that."

• He added: "When you are performing at this level for 13 seasons - coming up to 500 games and 200 goals - that says it all. It says something about his mindset, his standards and how he lives his life around football. It is the total package for one of the greatest."

• The pair haven't had any discussions about whether Vardy might want to step into coaching or management in the future. Van Nistelrooy explained: "When I was playing at an older age, I was focused on performing and I recognise that in him as well. He isn't thinking about a future after football, he wants to continue playing."

• Lastly, the manager confirmed there was "no news to bring" on his future at the football club. He is still waiting to find out whether he will be leading Leicester City in the Championship next season.

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Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy will make his final club appearance on Sunday against Ipswich Town, as the Foxes prepare to say goodbye to arguably their greatest player of all time after a 13-year stint at King Power Stadium.

The striker's last dance will see him reach 500 Leicester City appearances, and he will also be hoping to score his 200th goal for the club.

Speaking on the When You're Smiling podcast, former Leicester City defender Michael Morrison said it will be an "emotional" occasion: "You do half-think about the fact he could do a job for us next season, so it is one of those bittersweet situations.

"A lot of us probably feel like there are more goals that we want to see Jamie Vardy score for Leicester City, so I think that makes it all a little bit harder.

"When a legend leaves a football club - and he is a proper legend - it becomes difficult for everybody, especially off the back of a disappointing season.

"Every time the club has brought in somebody younger to try and replace him, or to be their contingency plan, he has come up with the goods.

"So it is going to be a difficult day on Sunday and it will be quite emotional at the stadium. I think he will be really emotional because it is hard when you have committed your life to a club and played so many games - no matter what you do next.

"I think it will really hit the club when the 2025-26 season starts, when we see Jamie Vardy playing for and scoring for somebody else. It will be especially hard if he stays in the country, so it'll be interesting to see where he ends up."

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