What Happened to Jamie Richard Vardy?
Jamie Vardy, the English striker famous for his meteoric rise from non-league football to Premier League glory with Leicester City, is currently playing for Italian Serie A club Cremonese. After leaving Leicester in May 2025, he joined Cremonese and has continued to score goals, though his current club is battling relegation. Recent speculation about a return to a struggling Leicester City in 2026 was publicly denied by his wife.
Quick Answer
As of May 2026, Jamie Vardy is a 39-year-old professional footballer playing as a striker for Serie A club Cremonese in Italy. He joined Cremonese in September 2025 after a decorated 13-year spell with Leicester City, where he famously won the Premier League. Vardy's contract with Cremonese runs until summer 2026, with an option to extend if they avoid relegation. Despite recent rumors of a potential return to Leicester City, which has since been relegated to League One, his wife Rebekah Vardy dismissed these claims as 'fake news' on May 13, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Sheffield, England
Jamie Richard Gill, later Vardy, was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Joins FC Halifax Town
After playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels, Vardy joined FC Halifax Town, scoring 25 goals in his debut season.
Moves to Fleetwood Town
Vardy transferred to Fleetwood Town, where he scored 31 league goals in his first season, helping them win the Conference Premier title.
Signs for Leicester City
Leicester City signed Vardy from Fleetwood Town for a non-league record fee of £1 million, marking his entry into professional football in the Championship.
England International Debut
Vardy made his senior international debut for England as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland.
Breaks Premier League Scoring Record
Vardy scored in his 11th consecutive Premier League game against Manchester United, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy's record.
Wins Premier League Title with Leicester City
Leicester City, against all odds, secured the Premier League title, with Vardy as their top scorer.
Steps Aside from England National Team
Vardy announced he would 'step aside' from international duty, informing manager Gareth Southgate he did not wish to be considered unless there was an injury crisis.
Wins Premier League Golden Boot
Vardy finished the 2019-20 season as the Premier League's top scorer with 23 goals, earning him the Golden Boot award.
Wins FA Cup with Leicester City
Vardy started in the FA Cup final as Leicester defeated Chelsea 1-0, securing the club's first-ever FA Cup trophy.
Wins EFL Championship with Leicester City
After Leicester's relegation in 2023, Vardy captained the team to win the EFL Championship, securing promotion back to the Premier League.
Final Match for Leicester City
Vardy played his last game for Leicester City, scoring his 200th goal in his 500th appearance for the club, before departing as a free agent.
Joins Cremonese
Vardy signed a one-year contract with Italian Serie A club Cremonese as a free transfer.
Wins Serie A Player of the Month
Vardy was awarded the Serie A Player of the Month, becoming the first English player to receive the honor.
Wife Denies Leicester Return Rumors
Rebekah Vardy publicly denied Italian media reports suggesting Jamie Vardy was planning a return to Leicester City, calling them 'fake news' on Instagram.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jamie Vardy's career is a remarkable rags-to-riches story in modern football. After being released by Sheffield Wednesday at 16, he played for non-league clubs Stocksbridge Park Steels, FC Halifax Town, and Fleetwood Town before joining Leicester City in May 2012 for a non-league record fee of £1 million. His time at Leicester was transformative, culminating in the club's improbable Premier League title win in the 2015-16 season, where Vardy scored 24 league goals and broke Ruud van Nistelrooy's record by scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games.
Following the Premier League triumph, Vardy continued to be a prolific goalscorer for Leicester, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2019-20 season with 23 goals. He also played a crucial role in Leicester's FA Cup victory in 2021 and the FA Community Shield win in the same year. His consistent performance and unique journey made him a beloved figure at the King Power Stadium.
The latter part of his Leicester career saw the club experience fluctuating fortunes. After relegation from the Premier League in 2023, Vardy was named captain and helped lead the club to win the EFL Championship in 2023-24, securing immediate promotion back to the top flight. However, Leicester suffered another relegation in 2025, dropping back to the Championship. Vardy departed Leicester City in May 2025, exactly 13 years after first signing with them, having scored 200 goals in 500 appearances.
In September 2025, Vardy embarked on a new challenge, signing as a free agent for Italian Serie A club Cremonese on a one-year contract with an extension option. During the 2025-26 season, the 39-year-old striker has scored six goals and provided two assists in 27 Serie A appearances, contributing to Cremonese's fight against relegation. His impact was recognized when he won the Serie A Player of the Month award for November 2025, becoming the first English player to do so.
As of May 2026, Vardy's future beyond his current contract with Cremonese is a topic of discussion. Reports from Italian media, such as Gazzetta dello Sport, suggested a potential return to Leicester City, which has since suffered back-to-back relegations and will be playing in League One next season. These rumors indicated he might consider a player-coach role to help his former club. However, on May 13, 2026, his wife Rebekah Vardy publicly refuted these claims on Instagram, stating they were 'fake news.' Vardy himself has indicated he will continue playing as long as his body allows and has not expressed immediate interest in a coaching role.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jamie Richard Vardy made different choices?