Jamie Vardy looked back on his impressive career at Leicester City after scoring his 200th goal in his final match for the club. The 38-year-old striker is leaving the Foxes after exactly thirteen years. "It’s been incredible, really a rollercoaster," he said.
Exactly thirteen years to the day after Leicester City signed him from non-league side Fleetwood Town for just £1 million, Jamie Vardy brought his remarkable journey with the Foxes to a close in the most fitting way possible.
In front of a packed King Power Stadium, the 38-year-old striker scored his 200th goal for the club during a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town in what was also his 500th appearance. It was a poetic farewell, not only because of the milestone, but because it perfectly encapsulated everything that Vardy brought to the club: goals, emotion, mischief, and heart.
True to form, Vardy celebrated with the same cheeky flair that made him a cult hero. After finding the back of the net, he sprinted toward the Ipswich away fans, placed a finger to his lips to silence their jeers, and then ripped the corner flag from the ground, holding it aloft in defiance. It was vintage Vardy raw, passionate, and unapologetic. Amid the chaos, a symbolic moment occurred: Kasey McAteer, once a ball boy during Vardy’s early Premier League days, jumped on his shoulders in celebration. It was more than a joyful act it was the passing of a torch, the merging of past and future in one unforgettable image.
After the match, Vardy admitted he had missed earlier chances, but never doubted the one that counted. “When James Justin sent me through, I just knew this one’s going in,” he said. “And after all the barking from the Ipswich fans, I couldn’t resist going their way.”
Yet beyond the humour and the noise, there was a deep sense of closure. Vardy’s time at Leicester had come full circle from unknown non-league striker to Premier League champion and club legend. Over the course of thirteen years, he helped Leicester rise from the Championship to the very top of English football. He won the Premier League in 2016 in a story that shocked the world, lifted the FA Cup in 2021, played in the Champions League quarterfinals, and reached the semifinals of the Europa Conference League. Twice, he won the Championship. And in the process, he became not only Leicester’s icon but one of the most feared strikers in the country.
His 200th goal arriving in his 500th match gave future football fans the kind of trivia gold quizmasters dream of. It was a milestone few players ever reach, and even fewer achieve at one club. In Premier League terms, Vardy now sits 14th on the all-time scorers list, with 145 goals having just passed Dutch legend Robin van Persie.
“It’s been incredible, really a rollercoaster,” Vardy reflected. “There have been far, far more highs than lows. I never imagined we’d reach the Champions League or win the Premier League but we did it. Together.”
The timing of his farewell, however, carries a bitter edge. Leicester may have won on the night, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the reality of their season. The club has just suffered relegation for the second time in three years. Discontent among the fans regarding the club’s direction and leadership continues to grow. And now, amid the uncertainty and frustration, their greatest modern hero departs.
Still, Vardy remains hopeful for what comes next. “They’ll be fine, honestly,” he said. “We’ve got a good squad, and there are plenty of young players ready to step up.” His words weren’t just diplomatic they carried the weight of someone who’s seen the club rise from struggle before, and who knows that revival is possible with the right mindset.
Asked about the mental toll of football, Vardy was honest and reflective. “I’m glad I’m not young anymore, because football breaks you mentally,” he admitted. “Honestly, I don’t think I could do it all over again. But I’ve enjoyed every moment. And now, I’m looking forward to watching and supporting the club I love.”
As the final whistle blew, the entire stadium rose in unison. The applause, the chants, the emotion it wasn’t just for a goal or a win, but for everything Vardy represented. His story was one in a million. From part-time footballer working in a factory to leading the line for a Premier League champion, he defied every expectation placed on him. He didn’t just help rewrite Leicester’s history he changed English football’s understanding of what is possible.
Jamie Vardy didn’t leave as a player past his prime he left at the peak of legend. His name will forever be sung, his story forever told. Whatever comes next, he walks away knowing that he gave everything, and that his legacy is written not in stone, but in the hearts of every Leicester fan who saw the impossible become real.
