Jamie Vardy’s future takes surprise twist as ‘dream’ transfer revealed after Leicester City exit

There’s every chance Jamie Vardy could play against Leicester City in the Championship next season and there is reported interest from more than one club in the second tier.

Vardy will leave Leicester at the end of the season after 13 years at the club.

The 38-year-old was instrumental in the Foxes’ famous Premier League and FA Cup wins but will leave the King Power Stadium when his contract expires in June.

With 143 Premier League goals and 26 England caps to his name, Vardy is in demand despite his advancing years.

Talk of interest from newly promoted Wrexham gathered pace after the Red Dragons confirmed their rise to the Championship on Saturday, but there’s a club in the middle of the table that could yet turn the striker’s head.

When footballers approach retirement age, emotion can come into their thinking in a way it might not when there are contracts to chase and goals to fulfil.

Vardy might not be one for sentiment but he is exactly the type to have a keen eye for unfinished business.

If that’s a motivating factor in his decision about his future, the glitz and glamour of Wrexham could lose out to the clarion call of home.

Sheffield Wednesday want Vardy and the feeling is understood to be mutual.

“We can confirm that Vardy sees Sheffield Wednesday as ‘one of his most desired options’ to join this summer,” reports EFL Analysis, citing transfer expert Graeme Bailey.

“There is interest from the Sheffield Wednesday end, but the situation is ‘complicated’ amid uncertainty surrounding Danny Rohl’s future at the club.”

Vardy is from Sheffield and was a big Wednesday fan as a kid but was released from the club’s academy at the age of 16.

After scoring goals for fun at local non-league outfit Stocksbridge Park Steels, Vardy embarked on a surge up the pyramid that took him to FC Halifax and Fleetwood Town on the way to legendary status and the most unlikely silverware at Leicester.

Vardy ‘hurt’ by Leicester relegation

The striker certainly isn’t going out on a high. Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League has been a stunningly tame affair and Vardy knows it.

“At this point I don’t even know what to say,” he posted on social media.

“No words I have can ever express my feelings of anger and sadness with the way this season has gone. There are no excuses.

“Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.

“Having been at this club for so long, we’ve experienced so many highs and successes – and this season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment.

“It hurts, and I know you’re feeling it too.”

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has reportedly already made his feelings clear on his next club.

Vardy, 38, was part of the Leicester City side that saw their relegation to the Championship confirmed with a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool at the King Power on Sunday (April 20).

And despite seemingly being in the twilight years of his career, the former England international has still been the Foxes’ main goal threat with seven strikes in the Premier League this term.

On Monday (April 21), he released a statement stating how he was “sorry” for the side’s performances this season.

“At this point I don’t even know what to say,” Vardy wrote.

“No words I have can ever express my feelings of anger and sadness with the way this season has gone. There are no excuses.

“Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.

“Having been at this club for so long, we’ve experienced so many highs and successes – and this season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment.

“It hurts, and I know you’re feeling it too.”

The 38-year-old concluded: “To the fans: I’m sorry. Sorry we haven’t performed and sorry we end the 2025 season with such a sh*t show.”

And Vardy’s future is still unclear, as his current Leicester contract is set to expire in June with several clubs – including Wrexham – linked with a potential move for the 38-year-old.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has suggested that several options will likely be available to the veteran, including opportunities in the MLS as well as remaining at Leicester as they aim to return to the Premier League.

Which club could Jamie Vardy join?

As reported by The Sun, Vardy could leave the East Midlands club but not for another team in England or Wales.

The outlet claims that he is only interested in a move abroad, with several American clubs reportedly interested. And Vardy is no stranger to football in the U.S., as he became a minority shareholder of New York-based side Rochester Rhinos back in 2021. However, the club ceased operations in 2023.

Jamie Vardy is officially leaving Leicester City at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

Vardy, a £1 million signing from Non-League Fleetwood Town in 2012, has gone on to become one of the club’s greatest ever players and played a key role in their Premier League and FA Cup successes.

The 38-year-old has scored 198 goals in 495 appearances over 13 seasons at the King Power Stadium but on Wednesday, the club confirmed he will be leaving on a free when his deal expires in the coming weeks.

In a statement on the club’s official website, chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha paid tribute to Vardy and praised his accomplishments with Leicester.

He said: “Jamie is unique. He is a special player and an even more special person. He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection. I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this Football Club.

“Although Jamie’s time with us as a player is ending, he and his family will always be welcomed back to King Power Stadium with open arms after all he has achieved. On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I wish Jamie and his family the very best for the future and I know our supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves at the end of this season.”

Having posted an X-rated reaction to their relegation being confirmed, Vardy himself gave a special message to the club’s supporters, with Leicester posting the clip on their social media channels and hailing him as their ‘GOAT’.

Jamie Vardy has lucrative offers on the table to play abroad

Vardy is not expected to retire from football and is believed to have lucrative offers on the table from the MLS, according to The Sun.

Manchester United legend Gary Neville, whose brother Phil is coaching Portland Timbers in America, has encouraged Vardy to make the move and experience a different life across the pond.

Speaking on his podcast, Neville said: “He’s obviously lost a yard of pace, but I think there are opportunities now that exist in America or in other parts of the world where you can go and play, you can enjoy yourself.”

The 2019/20 Premier League Golden Boot winner has also been heavily linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, where his former teammate Riyad Mahrez is currently playing.

According to Fichajes, the former England international already has one foot in Saudi Arabia and that it has emerged as the “most viable destination” for the final chapter of his career.

Gary Neville has given his thoughts on the next steps of Jamie Vardy’s career following Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship.

Vardy, 38, could not make a positive impact during yesterday’s 1-0 defeat against Liverpool, which saw the Foxes officially relegated to the Championship after just one season back in the Premier League.

The 38-year-old striker, who played an integral part in the East Midlands club winning the 2015/16 title, is inevitably nearing the end of his career, but has still been the side’s main goal threat with seven strikes in 31 league appearances this term.

In recent weeks, he has been linked with a move to League 1 outfit Wrexham, with The Wrexham Insider reporting that Vardy could be one of several soon-to-be free agents attracting the interest of the Welsh side.

Leicester head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy gave his thoughts on Vardy’s situation on Sunday.

“Every player’s situation is being looked at – and that’s important,” Van Nistelrooy said via the Mirror.

“With Jamie, it’s an ongoing thing between him and the club. So far, he’s kept his own counsel.”

He added: “He’s a great captain. He’s been through thick and thin with this club. Winning the league, FA Cup, Charity Shield, promotion and relegation. He’s been doing everything he can to help the club and be loyal to this club.

“Just seeing him, he’s an example to everyone in the building and an inspiration of consistency, of mentality, of never giving up.”

And after yesterday’s result, former Manchester United captain Neville issued a theory about the ex-England striker’s future plans.

When asked by Peter Drury on ‘The Gary Neville Podcast’ what he would suggest if he was “hypothetically advising Jamie Vardy,” Neville said: “Look, if his body feels right [he should continue]… it’ll come down to how he feels. These lads are so fit, they look so fit.

“He’s obviously lost a yard [of pace], but I think there are opportunities now that exist in America or in other parts of the world where you can go and play, you can enjoy yourself.”

He added: “I think [he should] stay at Leicester… why not? Do they not need a Jamie Vardy in the Championship? They’re going to have a lot more of the ball, they’re going to dominate the games. He knows how to work in the box in short spaces – he’s got better at that.

“There may be a position for him for 25-30 games next season… he still could be someone [who is] important for them.”

Jamie Vardy cuts a dejected figure following Leicester City’s defeat to Liverpool. Image: Getty