Jamie Vardy’s brief adventure in Italy appears to be coming to an end, with reports suggesting the former Leicester City striker is set to return to one of his former clubs this summer. After spending a single season with Italian side Cremonese, the veteran forward is expected to become a free agent following the club’s relegation from Serie A. Recent reports have linked him most strongly with a return to his boyhood club, Sheffield Wednesday, where he began his football journey as a youngster before being released at the age of 16.
At 39 years old, Vardy remains one of English football’s most remarkable success stories. After leaving Sheffield Wednesday’s academy, he worked his way up through non-league football with clubs such as Stocksbridge Park Steels, FC Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town before earning a move to Leicester City in 2012. There, he became a club legend, scoring 200 goals in 500 appearances and helping Leicester achieve the impossible by winning the Premier League title in 2016.
Following his emotional departure from Leicester in 2025, Vardy opted for a new challenge abroad by signing for Italian club Cremonese. The move surprised many observers, who expected him to remain in England. Despite his age, Vardy showed flashes of the pace, determination and finishing ability that made him famous, scoring important goals during Cremonese’s battle against relegation. His manager even described him as a player of a “superior level” after several crucial performances late in the season.
However, Cremonese’s relegation has effectively brought Vardy’s Italian spell to an end. His contract reportedly contained an extension option that depended on the club remaining in Serie A. Once relegation was confirmed, plans for a longer stay disappeared, leaving Vardy free to consider his next move.
There are also personal reasons behind the family’s decision to leave Italy. According to recent interviews, the move to Italy originally offered Vardy and his wife, Rebekah Vardy, an opportunity to escape intense media scrutiny in England and begin a fresh chapter away from the spotlight. Rebekah has spoken about wanting to distance herself from years of tabloid attention and public criticism, describing Italy as a chance to reset and focus on family life.
Now, with his Italian adventure over, attention has turned to where Vardy will play next. Sheffield Wednesday have emerged as strong favourites, offering the possibility of a full-circle moment in one of football’s greatest underdog stories. A return would see the striker rejoin the club where his dream first began, more than two decades after being released from their academy.
Whether Vardy chooses Sheffield Wednesday or another destination, his career continues to defy expectations. From non-league football to Premier League champion and now an experienced veteran still attracting interest at 39, the Leicester legend’s story remains one of the most extraordinary in modern football.
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