Leicester City announce that striker Jamie Vardy will leave the club at the end of the season
Vardy: 'This isn't retirement' and 'gutted that this day has come...but I think the timing is right'
Van Nistelrooy: 'He came to my office and told me what he had decided'
Chairman Srivaddhanaprabha: Vardy 'holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City'
The 38-year-old has been at Leicester for 13 seasons after making the move from Fleetwood in 2012
He won the Premier League title with Leicester in 2016 as well as the league's Player of the Season
Vardy also claimed the golden boot in the 2019-20 campaign, scoring 23 goals
Stats: Vardy's outscored Ronaldo, Suarez and more | Vardy's club honours
Phil McNulty analysis: The Premier League's greatest story?
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Vardy has been a unique player for us. Unique not for what he has achieved at the club, but unique because if Leicester ever had another player like him; we wouldn’t be able to keep him.
Gary
Wolves v Leicester (Sat, 15:00 BST)
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on the statement Jamie Vardy posted earlier this week regarding the club's season: "The most important thing now is that we have extra motivation. We need to move on to the next season.
"Now it will be the farewell for Jamie as well. It will be a big motivation for the team to play for their captain and recognise the 13 seasons he has served this club - the successes he's been through and also the difficult times he has been through. We can use these games perfectly for that."
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I think Jamie Vardy could do a job at a PL club next season who are likely to be short of goals, relegation threatened and carry limited threat. Vardy to Man Utd anyone?
Martin Derby
Wolves v Leicester (Sat, 15:00 BST)
More from Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy: "I have learned a lot from [Vardy]. I have also got to know him as a person.
"I have had conversations with him on the club, how things are going and what needs to be done. He was always a great support and influence in the team - on moving forward together and when going through the difficult times that we went through.
"In addition, on the pitch, he is our top scorer. That's what he also did."
Wolves v Leicester (Sat, 15:00 BST)
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on Jamie Vardy: "There's more to this story. We spoke also about Fleetwood Town where he came from and also his time before that at Halifax Town.
"He was in the Conference League and then moved to Leicester after they got promoted from League 1 to the Championship. That's where he came in.
"He felt really supported by the fans form the beginning and of course, over the 13 years that e has played. In all the highs and lows, what stands out is his loyalty to the football club and taking responsibility for the football club in doing everything possible to be the best he can be and perform.
"So he was there through the thick and thin. He was always providing the typical Jamie Vardy way of playing - aggressive, quick, intuitional player. Of course you can be a fans favourite if you have somebody who plays like that and can score goals."
Wolves v Leicester (Sat, 15:00 BST)
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on how Jamie Vardy told him about the decision to leave the club: "I've had many conversations in and out of football. Yet the conversation, I had with [Vardy] yesterday was special.
"He came to my office and told me what he had decided. After that, we spoke 45 minutes on many things. It was a great conversation - from person to person, from a former striker to a striker and a manger to player.
"It was impressive like his career. His love for the football club comes through in every word he says."
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
Shout, Dan.
And, perfect timing, Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has just begun his manager's press conference.
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Vardy to return to Sheffield Wednesday, could do a job for them I’m sure! Failing that maybe a return to previous club Fleetwood Town, he’d light up League Two.
Dan, Ipswich
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
I like it, but you'd be gutted if you were Andy King.
Leicester have got Jamie Vardy to name his all-time XI:
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy released an extended statement across his Instagram account:
"I've been here so long, I truly thought it would never end. This has not only been really difficult for me to write but also a difficult decision to make.
"Leicester City has been my second home, an extended family, my life for 13 years.
"Nine years ago we did the impossible - we won the Premier League. We then went on to win the FA Cup. That was for you Vichai. We reached the Champions League quarter-finals and before all that, we pulled of the great escape. Those good memories will last a lifetime.
"The list of people to thanks is long starting with Vichai, Top, and Nigel Pearson for giving me - a 25-year-old non-league striker the opportunity to not just become a professional footballer but to play for this great club. You believed in me and I hope I repaid your faith.
"Thanks also to all the other managers coaches and staff who have helped me and in some cases put up with me.
"To my teammates it has been an absolute privilege to play alongside you, in particular a band of brothers from 2016.
"As for the fans, you took me to your hearts, you stuck with me during the difficult times in the beginning and you inspired me to be the best I could be. I've always felt your support and I can't begin to tell you how good that made me feel on the pitch - I will always be one of you.
"My only regret and I feel devastated about this - is that I am not saying farewell to you on the back of a much better season. This isn't how I wanted my career here to finish. Finally this isn't retirement, I want keep playing and doing what I enjoy most - scoring goals.
"Thank you forever."
Image source, Getty Images
Robert Huth
Former Leicester defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
You could see it in his game that he didn't mind the physical confrontation. In non-league, the referees let more things go than in the Premier League. I think he's as tough as anyone that played in the Premier League.
He appreciated the top end and he certainly made the most of it.
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Jamie Vardy to Sheffield Wednesday, childhood supporter I believe
Ady the Owl
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Wonder what the odds are on Vardy joining Wrexham in the Championship next season, assuming they go up of course. I think the Hollywood profile would appeal to him, and his experience at that level would be a boost to Wrexham.
Barry, Berkshire
Robert Huth
Former Leicester defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
He might get another club. There might be another year or two in him somewhere. It's a sad day for Leicester. In terms of retirement, I know he's a character, he needs entertainment. He's like a 14-year-old kid in a sweet shop at times.
He can look back at his Leicester career with nothing but pride.
Well remembered, Calum.
UK users can watch that moment right here.
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Don’t forget Vardy’s record for goals in consecutive games! Legendary moment against United.
Calum
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Gutted to see him go. Without doubt the greatest player we’ve ever had, and a thoroughly great guy too! Hope he gets 2 more goals for us to reach that magic 200. Such a shame that his final season for us had to be this. Our board, manager and his teammates should be ashamed and embarrassed.
Will, Leicester City fan
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
Right, confirmation that Vardy wants to keep playing professional football.
The obvious question then is where should he go next?
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Jamie Vardy has no plans to retire after he leaves Leicester in the summer.
The striker will turn 39 in January but he has no plans to quit having scored 232 goals in 536 appearances for Fleetwood and the Foxes.
He said: "This isn't retirement. I want to keep playing and doing what I enjoy doing most, scoring goals. Hopefully there's one or two more for Leicester between now and the end of the season and many more in the future.
"I may be 38 but I've still got the desire and ambition to achieve so much more."
