Jamie Vardy and wife Rebekah have touched down in Italy as the striker closes in on a surprise move to Serie A side Cremonese.
The 38-year-old left Leicester at the end of last season and has been a free agent since, attracting interest from a host of clubs.
Napoli, Celtic and Everton were among those keen, but Cremonese’s ambitious project has convinced the former England star to head abroad.
Vardy landed late on Sunday and is expected to undergo a medical before signing his contract with the Italian side.
He has an offer of a one year deal with option for a further year with the Lombardy-based club.
The forward was given a hero’s welcome by fans – even autographing the leg of a supporter who had a tattoo of him inked on it.
Jamie Vardy has touched down in Italy ahead of a surprise move to Serie A side Cremonese
The forward was given a hero’s welcome by fans – even autographing the leg of a supporter who had a tattoo of him inked on it
Rebekah flew to Italy straight from a holiday to join Jamie ahead of their move to Italy
Meanwhile, Rebekah took to social media to pay tribute to Leicester, a city the Vardy family depart after 13 years.
She posted on Instagram: ‘Where history was made. Never thought saying goodbye and move in would be so hard. Forever in our hearts. Will always be watching ! Ho smash it lads.’
Rebekah flew to Italy straight from a holiday to join Jamie, who moves away from English football for the first time in his career.
Dutch giants Feyenoord were one of the other teams pursuing a deal to sign Vardy on a free this summer.
Feyenoord boss and former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie was determined to bring him to the Eredivisie.
Cremonese are second in the table after just two games having started with a surprise win over AC Milan and 3-2 victory over Sassuolo on Friday.
During his 13 years at Leicester, Vardy scored 200 goals in 500 appearances during a historic period for the club.
He helped the Foxes win the Premier League and FA Cup for the first time in their history and also won the Golden Boot in 2020.
The Vardy family will move abroad for the first time having spent 13 years at Leicester
Vardy left Leicester at the end of last season and has been a free agent since
He was also an integral member of the side that achieved Leicester’s ‘Great Escape’ at the end of the 2014-15 season.
His goals – he scored in a record 11 consecutive Premier League fixtures – were a major factor in the club’s 5000/1 title charge, which exposed him to Champions League football, and he also picked up an FA Cup winners’ medal in 2021.
