Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jamie Vardy

How Jamie Vardy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jamie Vardy is an English professional footballer, renowned as a striker and captain for Leicester City. Celebrated for his exceptional pace, longevity in the sport, strategic positioning, and clinical finishing abilities, Vardy is a key player for his club. His skills and leadership make him a prominent figure in professional football.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1931: Jimmy Dunne's Record

In November 2015, Jamie Vardy was chasing Jimmy Dunne's English top-flight record of 12 consecutive scoring matches set for Sheffield United in the 1931–32 season. Jamie Vardy matched Van Nistelrooy's record of consecutive Premier League matches with a goal, opening a 3–0 win over Newcastle United on 21 November. A week later, against Manchester United, he scored again to claim the record for himself. His run ended on 5 December when he did not score in a 3–0 win at Swansea City.

1984: Gary Lineker Last Leicester Player to score 20 goals

2002: Van Nistelrooy's Premier League record

On 31 October, Vardy scored in his eighth league match in a row, and became only the third player ever to do so in the Premier League after Ruud van Nistelrooy (twice) and Daniel Sturridge, in a 3–2 win over West Bromwich Albion. Vardy became the first player in the Premier League to score in nine consecutive matches in a single season, as Van Nistelrooy's 10 matches were at the end of the 2002–03 season and the beginning of the 2003–04 season.

2003: Van Nistelrooy's Premier League record

2006: First Team League Debut

In 2006, Jamie Vardy made his first team league debut for Stocksbridge Park Steels under manager Peter Rinkcavage.

2007: Breakout Season Under Gary Marrow

During the 2007–08 season, Jamie Vardy had his breakout season under manager Gary Marrow at Stocksbridge Park Steels.

2007: Breaks into Stocksbridge Park Steels First Team

In 2007, Jamie Vardy broke into the first team at Stocksbridge Park Steels after being released by Sheffield Wednesday. This marked the beginning of his senior career.

2009: Trial with Crewe Alexandra

In 2009, after impressive displays for Stocksbridge Park Steels, Jamie Vardy spent a week on trial with Crewe Alexandra, though a move did not materialise.

June 2010: Signed by FC Halifax Town

In June 2010, Jamie Vardy was signed by FC Halifax Town for a fee of £15,000 by manager Neil Aspin.

August 2010: Debut for FC Halifax Town

On August 21, 2010, Jamie Vardy made his debut for FC Halifax Town in the home match against Buxton, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 victory.

2010: Joins FC Halifax Town

In 2010, Jamie Vardy joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club FC Halifax Town. During his debut season, he scored 25 goals and won the club's Players' Player of the Year award.

August 2011: Moves to Fleetwood Town

In August 2011, Jamie Vardy moved to Conference Premier club Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee after playing for FC Halifax Town.

2011: Secures the Northern Premier League Premier Division title

In the 2010-11 season, Jamie Vardy finished as FC Halifax Town's top goalscorer with 25 goals from 37 appearances and was voted the Player's Player of the Season, helping to secure the Northern Premier League Premier Division title. Vardy also started the 2011-12 season with Halifax and scored three goals in the opening four matches of the season.

January 2012: Scores Twice Against Southport

On January 1, 2012, Jamie Vardy scored twice in a 6–0 win over Southport for Fleetwood Town. Later, after Blackpool manager Ian Holloway made a £750,000 offer for him, Fleetwood rejected the offer and held on for £1 million and a loan back to the club.

May 2012: Signs for Leicester City

In May 2012, Jamie Vardy signed for Leicester City in the Championship for a non-League record transfer fee of £1 million.

May 2012: Signing for Leicester City Announced

On May 17, 2012, it was announced that Jamie Vardy would be signing for Championship club Leicester City ahead of the 2012–13 season, for a reported fee of £1 million, a non-League record.

January 2014: Scores Against Derby County

On January 10, 2014, Jamie Vardy scored and won a penalty kick in the local derby as Leicester beat Derby County 4–1.

August 2014: Extends contract with Leicester City

On August 19, 2014, Jamie Vardy extended his contract with Leicester City until the summer of 2018. He made his Premier League debut on August 31, 2014, as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Arsenal.

2014: Wins Championship with Leicester City

In 2014, Jamie Vardy helped Leicester City win the Championship, marking a significant achievement in his career with the club.

May 2015: First England National Team Call-Up

In May 2015, Jamie Vardy received his first call-up to the England national team for a friendly against the Republic of Ireland and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Slovenia.

June 2015: International Debut for England

In June 2015, Jamie Vardy made his international debut for the England national team.

June 2015: Signs three-year contract with Leicester City

In June 2015, Jamie Vardy signed a three-year contract with Leicester City. In August 2012, Vardy made his debut for Leicester against Torquay United in the first round of the League Cup, heading the final goal in a 4–0 win. Four days later he made his Football League debut at the King Power Stadium, a 2–0 win over Peterborough United in which he set up a goal for Andy King. He scored his first league goal in a 2–1 away defeat to Blackburn Rovers on 25 August.

August 2015: Scores Opening Goal Against Sunderland

In August 2015, Jamie Vardy started the 2015–16 season by scoring the opening goal as Leicester picked up a 4–2 victory at home against Sunderland on August 8.

November 2015: Launch of V9 Academy

In November 2015, Jamie Vardy launched V9 Academy, a week-long camp to coach and guide non-League players and provide them an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of league clubs.

2015: Breaks Premier League Scoring Record

In the 2015-16 Premier League season, Jamie Vardy scored in eleven consecutive Premier League matches, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy's record.

January 2016: Declared Priceless by Ranieri

In January 2016, manager Claudio Ranieri declared that Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez would not be sold, describing them as "priceless."

March 2016: First International Goal

In March 2016, Jamie Vardy scored his first international goal, equalizing with a back heel from Nathaniel Clyne's cross, as a substitute in a 3–2 away win against Germany.

April 2016: Scores 20th and 21st Goals, Securing Champions League Qualification

On April 10, 2016, Jamie Vardy scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season in Leicester's 2–0 win at Sunderland, becoming the first Leicester player since Gary Lineker in the 1984–85 season to score 20 goals in the top division. This result also secured qualification to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in Leicester's history.

June 2016: Rejects Arsenal's Offer and Agrees to New Contract

In June 2016, Arsenal made a bid of £22 million for Jamie Vardy, triggering a release clause in his contract. However, Vardy rejected Arsenal's offer and agreed to a new four-year contract with Leicester.

August 2016: Scores in FA Community Shield

On August 7, 2016, Jamie Vardy scored in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United in the 2016 FA Community Shield. Later in August, Vardy scored his first league goal of the season in Leicester's first win of the campaign, beating Swansea City 2–1.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Tournament

During UEFA Euro 2016, Jamie Vardy made his tournament debut on June 16, scoring an equalizing goal against Wales. Media rumours of a feud between Vardy and Rooney were denied by manager Roy Hodgson during the tournament.

2016: Selected for UEFA Euro 2016

In 2016, Jamie Vardy was selected for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, representing England.

2016: Last Remaining Player

In 2016, Jamie Vardy was the last remaining player from Leicester's 2016 title success still at the club.

February 2017: Scores First Champions League Goal

On February 22, 2017, Jamie Vardy scored his first Champions League goal in a 2–1 away defeat to Sevilla in the first leg of the round of 16.

August 2018: New four-year contract at Leicester

In August 2018, Jamie Vardy signed a new four-year contract with Leicester, committing him to the club until June 2022.

August 2018: Stepped Aside from England National Team

In August 2018, Jamie Vardy stepped aside from the England national team, indicating to manager Gareth Southgate that he did not want to be considered for selection unless there was an injury crisis.

2018: Appears at 2018 FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Jamie Vardy made his last appearance for England at the FIFA World Cup. Later that summer, he requested not to be chosen for any more squads unless there was an injury crisis.

2018: Contract extended until summer

In August 2014, Vardy extended his contract with Leicester City until the summer of 2018

March 2019: 100th goal for Leicester

In March 2019, Jamie Vardy scored his 100th goal for Leicester, achieving this milestone with two goals in a 3–1 home win over Fulham.

April 2019: Scored 100 league goals for Leicester

In April 2019, Jamie Vardy scored two goals in a 3–0 home victory against Arsenal, bringing his total league goals for Leicester to 100.

October 2019: Hat-trick against Southampton

In October 2019, Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick in a 9–0 away win against Southampton, marking a significant achievement in his career.

2019: New contract with Leicester until 2019

In 2016 Jamie Vardy signed a new contract with Leicester until 2019, increasing his weekly salary to £80,000.

2019: Wins Premier League Golden Boot

In the 2019–20 season, Jamie Vardy won the Premier League Golden Boot, becoming the oldest player to win the award.

July 2020: 100th Premier League Goal

On July 4, 2020, Jamie Vardy scored his 100th and 101st goal in the Premier League during a 3–0 victory over Crystal Palace. He became the first Leicester player to reach this milestone and the 29th overall in Premier League history.

August 2020: New Contract with Leicester City

In August 2020, Jamie Vardy signed a new contract with Leicester City, extending his stay with the club until June 2023.

May 2021: FA Cup Win

In May 2021, Jamie Vardy started in the 2021 FA Cup final as Leicester defeated Chelsea 1-0, marking the club's first-ever FA Cup win. Vardy became the first player to play in every round of the competition, including the preliminary stages.

2021: Plays in FA Cup final

In 2021, Jamie Vardy played in the FA Cup final, becoming the first player ever to play in 13 of the 14 rounds of the competition, from the preliminary stages to the final.

June 2022: Contract Duration

In June 2022, the contract Jamie Vardy signed back in August 2018, kept him at Leicester City Football club until this time.

June 2023: End of Contract with Leicester City

June 2023 marked the end of Jamie Vardy's contract with Leicester City that he signed in August 2020.

April 2024: EFL Championship Title

In April 2024, Jamie Vardy netted twice in a 3-0 away victory against Preston, securing the 2023-24 EFL Championship title for Leicester City and ensuring their return to the Premier League.