Fans hail ‘GOAT’ Jamie Vardy following Leicester exit news as supporters call for ‘a statue’ in  departing Premier League icon’s honour

Fans have flocked to social media in their droves to pay homage to Jamie Vardy after the announcement that he will be leaving Leicester City at the end of the season. 

The 38-year-old revealed the shock news on Thursday that the end of the campaign would mark the climax of one of the greatest stories in the history of the Premier League with Leicester. 

As well as spear-heading the remarkable 2015-16 Premier League triumph, Vardy was also named Player of the Season by the top-flight in the very same season and won the Golden Boot in 2019-20. 

He would later add the FA Cup in 2020-21 and a Community Shield to his trophy cabinet, as well as a Championship crown from 2023-24. 

Vardy was not just a Leicester hero, but an icon of the Premier League over the last decade, dividing opinion as much as any other player in that time, and earning himself true football cult legend status. 

As such, fans have taken to social media to pay their own tributes to Vardy, who has been linked with a move to the US – or even Wrexham – as he prepares for a new chapter in his career. 

The striker spear-headed their fairy-tale Premier League triumph in 2015-16 with 24 goals

Leicester posted on Instagram to announce the news, with Foxes supporters hailing Vardy’s influence at the club in his 13-year stay. 

‘Our legend,’ wrote one fan, with another adding: ‘Once a fox, always a fox,’ with two love heart emojis. 

‘Will be missed. A legend and a GOAT [goat emoji] needs a statue outside [the] King Power,’ a third added. 

‘Will be greatly missed and irreplaceable,’ said a fourth. ‘Thank you Vardy! All the best on your new chapter.’ 

Vardy has a chance to depart the Foxes with 500 club appearances, with the former England international currently on 496 and there being four games left in the campaign. 

Similarly, with 198 goals to his name, there’s a shot at another milestone on offer too, and the chance to make it an eighth campaign in the top-flight with double digits for goals. 

Football fans on X were quick to add their own tributes to the Premier League icon, one of whom described him as a ‘legend of the game’.

‘One of the Premier League greats, no doubt you’ve earned your spot alongside the best strikers this league has seen,’ said another. ‘Fantastic Mr Fox,’ accompanied by the prerequisite emoji. 

Fans have been quick to hail the veteran as one of the league’s greatest ever strikers

The ex-England star’s work-rate and perseverance were hailed by fans on social media

‘Absolutely a privilege to watch you up close and personal against my birth team at Old Trafford and my relocated team at Craven Cottage,’ wrote one fan. 

‘You were always a menace and never stopped running and trying. Minute one to minute 90+. Feared and admired.’

And another said: ‘Has to be up there as one of the greatest Premier League signings of all time. Not a Leicester fan by any stretch, but what a player he’s been. 

‘Not every club gets a “Jamie Vardy” and both him and Leicester City fully deserved the success they’ve had.’

Vardy joined the Foxes from Non-League Fleetwood Town for £1million, and has gone on to become their most successful player of all-time, returning on that initial investment countless times over.