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?
Vardy made his Premier League debut at 27.
Image source, Getty Images
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Former Leicester winger Marc Albrighton has labelled Jamie Vardy the Foxes' greatest ever player.
Albrighton won the Premier League and FA Cup with Vardy while at the King Power Stadium.
Vardy is the last player from the title-winning squad of 2015-16 left at the Foxes and Albrighton, who left the Foxes last year, knows what legacy he leaves.
"He is obviously the greatest ever Leicester player. Everything he's achieved individually and with the team will never be forgotten by the Leicester fans and the club," he told BBC Sport.
"It's going to be be tough for everyone because people have grown up watching him, kids have grown up watching him, and it's going to be going to be a tough moment for everyone.
"It will take some getting used to not having him around the club."
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I am more upset about Vardy leaving than our relegation. I've been watching Leicester since 1976 & Vardy is our greatest player in that period.
John Wright, Leicester
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Jamie Vardy - such a rare player in the modern game. Over a decade leading the line at one club through promotions, relegations, league and cup triumphs, and Champions League quarter final. He would've improved plenty of club's squads this season too, interesting to see if he gets a club for next year.
Sam
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
We've got a poll at the top of this page asking if Jamie Vardy is Leicester's greatest ever player.
Morgan, Mahrez, Kante, Lineker, Shilton, Banks. There's plenty of legends to choose from.
But is Vardy the very best of the best?
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Jamie Vardy was a central character in arguably the greatest story in the history of the Premier League.
He was the talisman and main marksman in the Leicester City side that stunned the sporting world by winning the Premier League in 2015-16.
From a relegation escape artists the previous season and 5,000-1 outsiders, to champions the next is a feat that is unlikely to be repeated.
And at the heart of it all was Jamie Vardy - pacey, feisty and an inspiration behind an unlikely tale that will always be re-told as long as the Premier League exists.
Leicester have labelled Vardy the club's greatest player. Few would mount an argument against that tag being applied.
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So gutted. I grew up in Earl Shilton watching Leicester with my grandad, mum, dad and brother. I now live in Australia and stayed up to watch every game of our Premier League title winning season. We now have a four-year-old daughter who, due to those stories, wears her Leicester kit daily and sings "Jamie Vardy’s having a party." He’s a legend for Leicester fans whose memories will live on.
Richard and Millie
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Jamie Vardy has to be one of the best premiership players of all time when you consider where he has come from, how late in his career he reached the premier league and what he has achieved. One of the best goal scorers in Premier League history. Should’ve played more for England but Southgate loved his Kane. Well done Jamie you’re an inspiration.
Richard, Kent
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesEvery party must end eventually.
There's no news yet as to whether Jamie Vardy is retiring from football. Just that he'll not be a Leicester player in 2025-26.
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Absolutely dreaded this day coming, but all good things seem to come to an end, Jamie Vardy, it's been one hell of a party!
Anon
On social media Leicester have just called Jamie Vardy "our greatest ever player".
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Love Jamie Vardy. I’m a Man United fan and there were rumours Josè wanted him during his spell. I’d have taken him this year to be honest, he would have still bought us goals! Tremendous player and character. His pre-game red bull ritual and hatred of corner flags will go down in legend, as of course the famous 2016 title win - I don’t think there was a genuine football fan in the country who could begrudge Vardy and Leicester that title. What a servant to the club and the game. Massively under-utilised by England though. Cheers Jamie.
Alex, Reading
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Vardy. Statue required.
Mick, Hinckley
Jamie Vardy on Leicester's social media channels: "Gutted that this day has come but I knew it was going to come eventually. I've had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some down but the majority all highs. It's finally time to call it a day which I am devastated about.
"But I think the timing is right, just wanna sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own. Leicester will always have a massive place in my heart and I'll make sure that I'll be following for years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club.
"But as for now, this is my goodbye but you will see me again, I promise."
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Best memory has to be that goal against Liverpool when he lobbed Mignolet from 40 yards out!!
From Ewan in Bedford
Jamie Vardy says he's "gutted this day has come" in a video posted on Leicester's social media accounts.
Full quotes from him to come.
Image source, Getty ImagesLeicester City chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, said on the club's official website: "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.
"Although Jamie’s time with us as a player is ending, he and his family will always be welcomed back to King Power Stadium with open arms after all he has achieved. On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I wish Jamie and his family the very best for the future and I know our supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves at the end of this season."
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Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
Wow, huge news!
We'll obviously give this afternoon's live text a complete Jamie Vardy refresh.
So - new Get Involved topic for you all:
"Your tributes to Jamie Vardy and is the 38-year-old Leicester's greatest every player?"
Image source, Getty ImagesJamie Vardy is set to leave Leicester at the end of the season after 13 years at the King Power, say the club.
