Jamie Vardy has officially signed with Serie A minnows Cremonese, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. The 38-year-old striker, a Leicester City legend, embarks on his first-ever venture abroad after spending his entire professional career in England. Vardy's contract with Cremonese extends until June 2026, with an option for an additional year based on certain performance-related conditions.

Vardy's departure from Leicester City at the end of last season concluded a remarkable 13-year spell with the Foxes, during which he made 500 appearances and scored 200 goals. His contributions were instrumental in Leicester's historic Premier League title win in 2016, an achievement that defied all expectations. Individually, Vardy earned numerous accolades, including the FWA Footballer of the Year award and the Premier League Golden Boot. He also holds the Guinness World Record for scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games.

Cremonese, recently promoted to Serie A, have made a surprising start to the season, winning their first two matches. This includes a stunning 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro and a 3-2 win against Sassuolo. Vardy's arrival is expected to inject valuable experience and firepower into the team as they aim to maintain their position in Italy's top flight.

Several clubs had shown interest in Vardy after his departure from Leicester, including Everton, Celtic, Rangers, Wrexham, and clubs in Europe and the United States. Ultimately, he chose Cremonese, turning down offers from other clubs, including Feyenoord, managed by former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie.

Vardy's move to Cremonese has generated considerable excitement among the club's fans. Upon his arrival in Italy, he was greeted by enthusiastic supporters, some sporting tattoos of his face, who chanted "take us into Europe". Vardy is set to join head coach Davide Nicola's squad immediately to assist U.S. Cremonese in achieving their objectives in Serie A. The city of Cremona is known as the world capital of violin-making, celebrated globally for its musical excellence.

With 145 Premier League goals and 50 assists to his name, Vardy brings a wealth of experience to Cremonese. He also represented England in 26 matches, scoring 7 goals, including appearances at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. His experience and goal-scoring ability will be crucial for Cremonese as they navigate the challenges of Serie A.