Jamie Vardy facts for kids
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Vardy with England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 11 January 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Sheffield, England | ||
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.79 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Leicester City | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Sheffield Wednesday | |||
| 2003–2006 | Stocksbridge Park Steels | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006–2010 | Stocksbridge Park Steels | 88 | (40) |
| 2010–2011 | FC Halifax Town | 37 | (26) |
| 2011–2012 | Fleetwood Town | 36 | (31) |
| 2012– | Leicester City | 425 | (180) |
| National team | |||
| 2015–2018 | England | 26 | (7) |
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Jamie Richard Vardy (born 11 January 1987) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a striker and is the captain for Leicester City. Jamie is known for his amazing speed, smart positioning, and great goal-scoring ability. Many people think he is one of the best strikers of his time.
Jamie Vardy's football journey is quite special. He was let go by Sheffield Wednesday when he was 16. He then started his adult career with smaller clubs like Stocksbridge Park Steels. He joined FC Halifax Town in 2010 and scored 25 goals in his first season. He was even named the Players' Player of the Year. After that, he moved to Fleetwood Town in 2011. There, he scored 31 league goals in his first season and helped his team win their division.
In 2012, Vardy joined Leicester City for a record fee for a non-league player. He helped Leicester win the Championship in 2014. This meant they moved up to the Premier League. In the 2015–16 Premier League season, Jamie Vardy made history. He scored in eleven Premier League matches in a row, breaking a record. He was named the best player in the Premier League as Leicester City, against all odds, won the league title! He also won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2019–20 season. He became the oldest player to win this award. In 2021, he played in the 2021 FA Cup final. This made him the first player ever to play in 13 of the 14 rounds of the FA Cup.
Jamie Vardy first played for the England national team in 2015. He played for England in UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After the 2018 World Cup, he decided to step back from playing for England. He said he would only play if there was a big injury problem in the team.
Contents
Early Life and Football Dreams
Jamie Vardy was born in Sheffield, England. His mother later married Phil Vardy, and Jamie took his stepfather's last name. He grew up in the Hillsborough area of Sheffield. His stepfather worked with cranes, and his mother worked in a law office.
Growing up, Jamie was a big fan of Sheffield Wednesday. He looked up to their striker, David Hirst. Jamie remembers the strong rivalry between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United fans. He said these games were "massive" for the city. Jamie has even celebrated goals against Sheffield United fans, showing his love for his childhood club.
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Football
Jamie Vardy was part of the youth team at Sheffield Wednesday. But he was released when he was 16 years old. He then joined Stocksbridge Park Steels. He moved up from the reserve team to the first team in 2007. He earned £30 a week at the club.
Because he played so well, other teams became interested in him. In 2009, he had a trial with Crewe Alexandra. But a move didn't happen. He also turned down a short contract with Rotherham United.
In June 2010, manager Neil Aspin signed Vardy for FC Halifax Town. He made his first appearance on August 21, 2010. He scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory. Vardy had a great first season with Halifax. He was their top goal scorer with 25 goals. He was also voted the Player's Player of the Season. His goals helped Halifax win the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.
Success with Fleetwood Town
After just over a year at Halifax, Vardy joined Fleetwood Town. He made his debut on the same day. He scored his first goals for Fleetwood in his third game. He scored twice in a 3–2 win. The next week, he scored two more goals. He scored another two goals in his third straight match.
On October 18, he scored three goals in one game, which is called a hat-trick. He scored two more goals just four days later. On November 12, he scored in the FA Cup against Wycombe Wanderers. His goal on November 27 meant he had scored in six games in a row. He won the Conference Premier Player of the Month award for November.
On January 1, 2012, Vardy scored twice in a 6–0 win. A week later, Blackpool offered £750,000 for him. Fleetwood rejected the offer. Vardy scored another hat-trick on February 21. This helped Fleetwood stay at the top of the league. Vardy's 31 league goals made him the top scorer in the Conference Premier. Fleetwood won the league title and moved up to the Football League for the first time.
Joining Leicester City
First Seasons (2012–2015)
On May 17, 2012, it was announced that Jamie Vardy would join Leicester City. The fee was about £1 million, a record for a non-league player. He signed a three-year contract. On August 14, Vardy made his debut for Leicester. He scored a goal in a 4–0 win. Four days later, he played his first Football League game. He scored his first league goal on August 25.
Vardy's first season at Leicester was a bit tough. He lost some form and faced criticism from fans. He even thought about leaving football. But manager Nigel Pearson and assistant manager Craig Shakespeare convinced him to stay.
The next season, Vardy's luck changed. He became a key goal scorer for Leicester. He scored and won a penalty in a big local game against Derby County. Leicester won 4–1 and stayed at the top of the Championship. Vardy finished the season with 16 league goals. Leicester won the Championship and were promoted to the Premier League. Vardy was named Leicester's Players' Player of the Season.
In August 2014, Vardy signed a new contract until 2018. He made his Premier League debut on August 31. On September 21, Vardy had an amazing game. He scored his first Premier League goal and helped set up four others. Leicester came back from 3–1 down to win 5–3 against Manchester United. On April 11, 2015, Vardy scored a winning goal in the last minute against West Bromwich Albion. Leicester finished the season in 14th place, staying safe in the Premier League.
Premier League Champions (2015–16 Season)
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Jamie Vardy started the 2015–16 season by scoring in a 4–2 win against Sunderland. On September 26, he scored two goals against Arsenal. This took his goal tally to seven for the season.
On October 24, he scored the only goal in a win against Crystal Palace. This was his seventh Premier League game in a row where he scored. On October 31, he scored in his eighth league game in a row. A week later, he scored a penalty to make it nine games in a row. Vardy became the first player to score in nine consecutive Premier League matches in one season. He was named the Premier League Player of the Month for October 2015.
On November 21, Vardy matched a record by scoring in his tenth consecutive Premier League game. A week later, against Manchester United, he scored again to break the record! His amazing run ended on December 5. He was named Premier League Player of the Month again for November. He even received a certificate from Guinness World Records for his achievement.
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In February 2016, Vardy scored two goals in a 2–0 win against Liverpool. One of his goals was a fantastic long-distance shot. A few days later, he signed a new contract with Leicester. On April 10, 2016, Vardy scored two goals against Sunderland. This made him the first Leicester player since Gary Lineker to score 20 goals in the top division. This result also meant Leicester qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
With 24 league goals, Vardy was the second-highest scorer in the Premier League. He was named the Premier League Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year. This was a truly incredible season for Jamie and Leicester City.
Champions League and Beyond (2016–2019)
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In June 2016, Arsenal made an offer for Vardy. But Leicester offered him a better deal, and he decided to stay. He rejected Arsenal's offer because he wanted to play in his usual position. Also, Leicester's counter-attacking style of play suited him better.
On August 7, 2016, he scored in a 2–1 loss to Manchester United. On December 10, 2016, Vardy scored his first professional hat-trick against Manchester City. This helped Leicester win 4–2.
On February 22, 2017, Vardy scored his first UEFA Champions League goal. This was against Sevilla. On April 18, he scored Leicester's goal against Atlético Madrid. However, Leicester was still knocked out of the competition.
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Vardy started his sixth season at Leicester by scoring two goals against Arsenal. On October 16, he played his 200th game for the club. On December 23, 2017, Vardy scored his 50th Premier League goal.
By scoring twice in the last game of the season, Vardy reached 20 goals in the Premier League again. He scored 23 goals in total that season. Leicester finished 9th in the Premier League. Vardy also won the BBC Goal of the Season award for an amazing goal against West Bromwich Albion.
In August 2018, Vardy signed a new four-year contract. On March 9, 2019, Vardy scored his 100th goal for Leicester. He scored two goals in a 3–1 win. On April 28, 2019, he scored two more goals against Arsenal. This brought his total league goals for Leicester to 100.
Golden Boot Winner (2019–20 Season)
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On October 25, 2019, Vardy scored three goals in a huge 9–0 away win against Southampton. On July 4, 2020, Vardy scored his 100th and 101st Premier League goals. He became the first Leicester player to reach 100 Premier League goals.
With 23 goals, he won the Premier League Golden Boot for the first time. He became the oldest player to win this award at 33 years old.
Recent Seasons (2020–Present)
On August 26, 2020, Vardy signed a new contract with Leicester City. On September 27, he scored his second hat-trick against Manchester City in a 5–2 away win. On October 25, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Arsenal. This was Leicester City's first away win against Arsenal since 1973.
On December 6, Vardy scored a last-minute goal against Sheffield United. While celebrating, he slid into a corner flag that had rainbow colours. He later signed the flag and gave it to Leicester's LGBT+ supporters group. On May 15, 2021, he played in the 2021 FA Cup final. Leicester beat Chelsea 1–0, winning the FA Cup for the first time ever!
In the 2022–23 season, Leicester City was fighting to avoid being relegated. Vardy said that staying in the Premier League would be his biggest achievement. However, Leicester City was relegated after finishing 18th. But on April 29, 2024, Vardy scored twice in a 3–0 win. This helped Leicester City win the 2023–24 EFL Championship title. They were promoted straight back to the Premier League!
On June 7, 2024, Vardy signed a new one-year deal with Leicester. On August 19, in Leicester's first game back in the Premier League, Vardy scored an equalizing goal against Tottenham Hotspur. This helped his team get a 1–1 draw.
International Career with England
On May 21, 2015, Jamie Vardy was called up to the England national team for the first time. He made his debut on June 7. He came on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney. Vardy scored his first international goal on March 26, 2016, against Germany. He scored again three days later against the Netherlands.
Vardy played in his first major tournament on June 16, 2016, at UEFA Euro 2016. He came off the bench and scored an equalizing goal against Wales. This helped England win the match 2–1.
Vardy was part of the England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He played a few times during the tournament. England reached the World Cup semi-finals, which was a great achievement. On August 28, 2018, Vardy decided to step away from the England national team. He told manager Gareth Southgate that he didn't want to be picked unless there was an injury crisis.
Player Profile
Journey from Non-League Football
Jamie Vardy's path to the top of football is very unusual. He spent a long time playing in non-league football. Before he played in the Premier League at age 27, he had played in many lower divisions. He believes that starting later in the Premier League helps him stay fit and play strongly even in his thirties. He feels his legs are still good and his speed hasn't gone away.
Football experts have often compared Vardy's playing style to non-league football. Sky Sports expert Gary Neville said Vardy played like a "non-league player in the Premier League" at first. He meant Vardy was raw and aggressive. But over time, his game became smoother and more skilled.
How Jamie Vardy Plays
In 2020, FourFourTwo magazine called Vardy one of the best strikers in the world. This is because of his great finishing, speed, and awareness of where to be on the field. Ian Wright, another famous player who started in non-league football, said Vardy is a hard-working player. He has a good first touch and always makes defenders work hard.
Vardy usually plays as a central striker. But he is also a versatile player. This means he can play in different attacking positions, sometimes even as a winger.
Besides scoring many goals, Vardy is known for his high work rate. He runs a lot and plays directly. He can use both feet well and is good at linking up play with his teammates. He is very fast and dynamic. He knows how to time his runs to get past defenders. This, along with his speed and accurate shooting, makes him very dangerous on counter-attacks. This style of play fits Leicester City's team very well. Vardy is also very good at taking penalties. He has scored 26 out of 31 penalties in the Premier League. He can also hit the ball powerfully with either foot and is good in the air.
Former England assistant manager Gary Neville said that Vardy's hard work inspires his teammates. He sets the example for everyone else to work hard too.
Personal Life
Jamie Vardy is a lifelong fan of Sheffield Wednesday, the football club from his hometown.
Before becoming a professional footballer, Vardy worked as a technician. He made medical splints.
Vardy met Rebekah Nicholson in 2014. They got married on May 25, 2016. Jamie has four biological children and is a stepfather to two more children.
In November 2015, Vardy started the V9 Academy. This is a special camp for non-league players. It helps them get coaching and show their skills to scouts from bigger clubs. The same month, Stocksbridge Park Steels named their main stand after him. In December 2015, the food company Walkers made a special 'Vardy Salted' crisp flavor. This was to celebrate his amazing goal-scoring run. A writer named Adrian Butchart also finished a script for a film about Vardy's life. Vardy is also an ambassador for Dorothy Goodman School, a school for children with special needs.
On June 15, 2021, Vardy bought a small share in an American soccer club called Rochester Rhinos. The club was later renamed Rochester New York FC. Vardy was a co-owner of the club. The club stopped playing in March 2023.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Stocksbridge Park Steels | 2005–06 | NPL Division One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | NPL Division One | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2007–08 | NPL Division One South | 29 | 10 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 5 | 3 | 37 | 14 | |||
| 2008–09 | NPL Division One South | 33 | 16 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 12 | 5 | 47 | 22 | |||
| 2009–10 | NPL Premier Division | 23 | 14 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 26 | 19 | |||
| Total | 88 | 40 | 7 | 4 | — | — | 20 | 11 | 115 | 55 | ||||
| FC Halifax Town | 2010–11 | NPL Premier Division | 33 | 23 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 37 | 25 | ||
| 2011–12 | Conference North | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | |||||
| Total | 37 | 26 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 41 | 28 | ||||
| Fleetwood Town | 2011–12 | Conference Premier | 36 | 31 | 6 | 3 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 42 | 34 | ||
| Leicester City | 2012–13 | Championship | 26 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 29 | 5 | |
| 2013–14 | Championship | 37 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 41 | 16 | |||
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 34 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 5 | |||
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 36 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 24 | |||
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 35 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 48 | 16 | |
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 37 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 42 | 23 | |||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 34 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 18 | |||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 35 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 23 | |||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 34 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | 42 | 17 | ||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 17 | |
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 37 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 42 | 6 | |||
| 2023–24 | Championship | 35 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 37 | 20 | |||
| 2024–25 | Premier League | 20 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 7 | |||
| Total | 425 | 180 | 20 | 4 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 485 | 197 | ||
| Career total | 586 | 278 | 36 | 12 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 4 | 23 | 13 | 683 | 315 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 1 | |
| Total | 26 | 7 | |
- England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Vardy goal
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 March 2016 | Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany | 5 |  Germany |
2–2 | 3–2 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 29 March 2016 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 6 |  Netherlands |
1–0 | 1–2 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 22 May 2016 | City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England | 7 |  Turkey |
2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | |
| 4 | 16 June 2016 | Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France | 9 |  Wales |
1–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 | |
| 5 | 15 November 2016 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 14 |  Spain |
2–0 | 2–2 | Friendly | |
| 6 | 26 March 2017 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 16 |  Lithuania |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 7 | 27 March 2018 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 21 |  Italy |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
Honours and Awards
Stocksbridge Park Steels
- Northern Premier League Division One South play-offs: 2008–09
- Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup: 2008–09
FC Halifax Town
- Northern Premier League Premier Division: 2010–11
Fleetwood Town
- Conference Premier: 2011–12
Leicester City
- Premier League: 2015–16
- Football League Championship/EFL Championship: 2013–14, 2023–24
- FA Cup: 2020–21
- FA Community Shield: 2021
Individual Awards
- Premier League Player of the Season: 2015–16
- FWA Footballer of the Year: 2015–16
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2019–20
- Premier League Player of the Month: October 2015, November 2015, April 2019, October 2019
- Premier League Goal of the Month: March 2018
- BBC Goal of the Season: 2017–18
- PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 Premier League, 2019–20 Premier League
- Conference Premier Player of the Month: November 2011
- Conference Premier Team of the Year: 2011–12
- Conference Premier Top Goalscorer: 2011–12
- Leicester City Player of the Season: 2019–20
- Leicester City Players' Player of the Season: 2013–14, 2019–20
- Premier League Milestone Award (100 goals), (300 appearances)
- Northern Premier League's Greatest Player: 1978–2018
- Northern Premier League's Greatest XI: 1978–2018
See also
In Spanish: Jamie Vardy para niños
