'Greatest-ever' Vardy to leave Leicester at end of season

TDT | London

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Leicester captain Jamie Vardy will leave the former Premier League champions at the end of the season, the relegated club announced on Thursday.

The talismanic forward, a key member of the side that lifted the English league title against the odds in 2016, was described by the club as "our greatest-ever player".

The former England international, 38, joined the Foxes in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood Town for £1 million ($1.3 million) and has scored 198 goals in nearly 500 appearances.

He is the club's record Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals.

Vardy scored 24 times in the 2015/16 Premier League campaign, helping the Foxes to their first top-flight title in one of the greatest shocks in football history.

The pacy forward was also part of Leicester's 2021 FA Cup-winning side, who beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.

"We can confirm legendary striker Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 seasons that have seen him become our greatest-ever player," the club said in a statement.

" Jamie is unique," said chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. "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."