Jamie Vardy to leave Leicester at the end of the Premier League season

News that no Leicester fan wanted to hear dropped on April 24, with Jamie Vardy announcing that he's leaving the club at the end of the current Premier League season.

Less than a week after Leicester were officially relegated back to the Championship after a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, the club has been dealt another hammer blow.

in an official announcement, Vardy confirmed in the morning of April 24 that he is to leave Leicester at the end of the season, marking the end of an incredible 13 years with the Foxes.

With just a handful of games left between now and the end of the Premier League season, Leicester have announced that Vardy will leave at the end of the season.

Leicester's official statement says: "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."

As the statement from Leicester says, Vardy is widely regarded as the best player in the club's history, being an integral part of the side who won the Premier League in 2016 and reached the knockout stages of the Champions League the year after.

The statement continues: "There is no other player more synonymous with the incredible successes achieved in that time and, with nearly 500 appearances and almost 200 goals to his name, Vardy’s achievements on Filbert Way are unrivalled throughout our 141-year history."

It'll be a sad day for Leicester and its fanbase when Vardy puts on the shirt for the first time, with the final game of the striker's Foxes' career set to be against Bournemouth away from home on May 25.

As for Vardy's final game at the King Power stadium, that takes place seven days prior when Leicester host Ipswich at home in their last home league game of the season.

Vardy confirmed the news on his social media channels, saying he was 'gutted' to have to be telling Leicester fans that he's leaving the club at the end of the season.

Vardy said of his Leicester exit: "To the fans of Leicester: gutted this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually. 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."

As expected, Vardy took the time to thank the club's fans for their support throughout his 13 years at the club, saying he'll be following as a fan for many years to come.

Vardy continued: "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."

Vardy has just five games left as a Leicester player, with the 38-year-old now more eager than ever to add to the seven league goals he's scored this season, aiming to push his all-time Premier League tally (currently 143) closer to 150.

At the time of writing, there's no word on where fans can expect to see Vardy next, but it doesn't seem like he's going to be retiring from football at the end of his Leicester spell.

Given that he'll be turning 40 in less than two years, many are expecting Vardy to move to the MLS in America rather than remaining in the Premier League.

The same is being said of Kevin De Bruyne, with the bookies tipping the Premier League legend to move to the MLS after announcing his Man City exit this month.

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