‘Total package’ Vardy prepares for 500th and final Leicester appearance

AFP | London

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Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed Jamie Vardy as “one of the greatest” as the Leicester talisman prepares for his 500th and final game for the club on Sunday.

The 38-year-old Vardy is leaving the Foxes at the end of the season after 13 years and will not be involved for their final game of the Premier League campaign away at Bournemouth, which will allow him a send-off at the King Power Stadium.

Relegated Leicester have produced a special commemorative matchday programme dedicated to Vardy, whose goals helped Claudio Ranieri’s side to an astounding Premier League title triumph in 2016.

The former England striker, who announced his decision to leave Leicester last month, has scored 199 goals for the club in 499 games and will be desperate to complete a double century against Ipswich, who have also been relegated.

Van Nistelrooy confirmed that club captain Vardy, who also won the 2021 FA Cup with Leicester, would again lead the team out on Sunday.

“We are all part of his last game, around Jamie and his family. We are all ready to give him the best possible send-off,” the Leicester boss told a prematch press conference yesterday.

“It is something that will be clear on Sunday, because of his status at the club and what he has given the club.”

Vardy scored in 11 successive Premier League games during the 2015/16 title-winning season to break Van Nistelrooy’s previous record of 10, when he was at Manchester United.

“When you see the amount of times a player is performing at the highest level, that is the biggest achievement,” the Dutch coach said.