´It´s been everything´ – Leicester legend Vardy preparing for emotional farewell

Jamie Vardy is preparing for an emotional farewell at Leicester City as an “unbelievable” spell that means “everything” nears its conclusion.

The 38-year-old announced towards the end of April that the 2024-25 campaign will be his last at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy provided a fitting reminder of his quality on Saturday, however, as his crisp 17th-minute finish sent Leicester on their way to a 2-0 win over fellow relegated side Southampton.

That marked his 199th goal for the club, which he has spent 13 years at, and Vardy will hope to break the double-century milestone before the campaign concludes.

“It’s been everything,” Vardy, who is also nearing a 500th appearance for the Foxes, told BBC’s Match of the Day.

“It’s been mine and my family’s life for 13 years. We’ve been taken in by the fans and the whole city, and it has meant every single thing to me personally.

“When it’s been your life for that long and you see the camaraderie with the fans and my team-mates for the last 13 years, it’s been unbelievable.”

Vardy = goals pic.twitter.com/M3dHWXWge0

— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 3, 2025

Vardy’s strike was Leicester’s first home Premier League goal since December, when Bobby De Cordova-Red scored against Brighton, ending a run of 826 minutes without scoring at the King Power Stadium.

That goal may have lifted the spirits inside Leicester’s home ground, and Vardy provided further joy with a comical moment soon after.

Referee David Webb was sent crashing to the floor after being accidentally shoulder barged by Jordan Ayew, with Vardy stepping in and blowing the whistle to halt proceedings in a bizarre occurence.

“I saw Southampton breaking down the left and with the ref down, I thought I’ll blow his whistle to stop the game,” the former England striker joked.

Vardy will need just two more appearances to break the 500-game mark for Leicester, though aside from that, he is unsure what the future will hold.

“I am enjoying my football and I need a nice break to mentally, especially, and physically fully refresh and then we’ll see where that goes,” he added.

“There are still a few more games where hopefully there can be a few more numbers added.”