- Jamie Vardy featured in his 500th and final game for Leicester on Sunday
- The striker netted his 200th goal for the club to put his side 1-0 up vs Ipswich
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Was Cole Palmer right to leave Man City?
Jamie Vardy scored his 200th goal in his 500th Leicester game, as the Foxes legend suited up in blue one last time on Sunday.
The striker will not feature in Leicester’s final game of the campaign, at Bournemouth on May 25, meaning Sunday’s game against Ipswich at the King Power Stadium draws the curtains on his 13-year chapter at the club.
To open the scoring, Vardy guided a neat low finish past Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer, before wheeling off in celebration, where he yanked the corner flag out of the ground and held it in the air in front of the home fans.
Although he now has nine goals this term, Vardy has not been able to save Leicester from relegation. The Foxes will make an instant return to the Championship after a dismal campaign.
And despite interest from several clubs in the second tier, Vardy is focused on staying at the top level, with the Premier League his preference after he leaves Leicester.
Asked whether he wanted to stay among the elite, the 38-year-old said this week: ‘Yeah, 100 per cent. But again, football’s a crazy world. So you never know what’s going to happen. I’m always excited for what comes next.
Jamie Vardy scored his 200th goal for Leicester in his 500th and final appearance for the club
In iconic fashion, Vardy celebrated by pulling the corner flag out of the ground and holding it up
‘I’ve always said I’ll keep going until my legs literally tell me, no, you need to stop, we’re done. And my legs are fine,’ he told Sky Sports.
Having played 500 games for Leicester, Vardy has made the third-most appearances ever for the club and has registered 271 goal contributions in that time. As their top scorer, he also led them to an unprecedented Premier League title in 2016, as well as the FA Cup and FA Community Shield in 2021.
The Englishman is the 15th all-time leading scorer in Premier League history and scored in 11 straight matches during Leicester’s title-winning season – the most ever.
In 2019-20, he became the oldest recipient of the Premier League golden boot award at 33 years old, when he scored 23 goals.
Vardy announced his farewell at the end of last month, with his goodbye message to the fans stressing how ‘gutted’ he was to be sharing the statement.
‘It has been 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, some downs, but the majority all highs. It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about but I think the timing is right,’ Vardy said.
‘I just want to sincerely thank you all for taking you in as one of your own. Leicester will always have a massive place in my heart and I’ll make sure I’ll be following in the years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club.
‘As for now, this is my goodbye, but you will see me again soon I promise. Thank you.’
