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Jamie Vardy marked his final match for Leicester City in fairytale fashion on Sunday, scoring his 200th goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. The 38-year-old striker, who made his 500th and final appearance for the Foxes, leaves behind a legacy few could have imagined when he arrived from non-league Fleetwood Town 13 years ago.
The match at the King Power Stadium served as a fitting tribute to Vardy’s remarkable journey, which included a miraculous Premier League title in 2016 — a triumph that stunned the football world with Leicester starting the season as 5,000/1 outsiders — and FA Cup glory in 2021.
Released as a youngster by Sheffield Wednesday, Vardy’s rise from the lower tiers of English football to a Premier League Golden Boot winner and 26-cap England international captured the hearts of the Leicester faithful, who turned out in full voice to send off their icon.
Ahead of kick-off, Vardy led the team out to thunderous applause, with flags emblazoned with “Thank you Vards” waving throughout the stands. Behind each goal, banners celebrated his time at the club, while the scoreboard displayed the words: “Goodbye GOAT (Greatest of All Time).”
Vardy didn’t disappoint. After missing two early chances, he broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with a cool finish from James Justin’s pass, notching his ninth league goal of the campaign and etching his name into Leicester folklore with a double century of goals.
“It’s been a dream,” Vardy told fans during a post-match address on the pitch. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of this. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking myself and my family in as your own. Leicester is in my heart forever.”
With the Foxes already relegated and his departure confirmed, the decision was made for Sunday’s home match to be Vardy’s final outing. He will not feature in next weekend’s season finale away at Bournemouth.
Ten minutes from time, the club legend was substituted to a standing ovation, receiving a guard of honour from his teammates as he left the pitch for the last time in Leicester colours.
Kasey McAteer doubled the lead in the 69th minute with his first Premier League goal, ensuring Vardy’s farewell was marked with a win.
Speaking after the match, McAteer said: “To play with him and call him my team-mate is an honour. It’s classic Vardy — he always delivers. I was buzzing he got his 200th goal.”
Vardy joined Leicester on 18 May 2012 for a non-league record fee of £1 million. Thirteen years to the day later, he walked off the pitch a club legend — admired, adored, and immortalised in Foxes history.
