Jamie Vardy has returned to English football, signing a contract with Burnley until the end of the season. The 39-year-old striker had been a free agent since leaving Italian side Cremonese in the summer after their relegation to Serie B.
Vardy moved to Italy with his wife Rebekah and their family, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 29 appearances for Cremonese in Serie A last season. Burnley hopes Vardy's experience will help them escape their current difficulties, as the club sits at the bottom of the Championship table after five matches. The Clarets have yet to secure a win in the English second tier, with two draws and three losses, having scored six goals and conceded 12.
Upon signing for Burnley, Vardy, whose career was the subject of a Netflix documentary in May, expressed his ambition to help the team climb the league standings. "I'm really happy to now be here at Burnley," he told the club's official website. "This club has a proper footballing history and passionate fans who deserve a team that represents them and their town. I can't wait to get going on the pitch and help the team move in the right direction."
Burnley head coach Nicky Hayen welcomed the new signing, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Jamie to Burnley. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to our squad, and we believe he can make a significant impact on our campaign. Jamie has a proven track record, and we are looking forward to seeing him in a Claret shirt."
Vardy previously scored 200 goals in 500 matches for Leicester City, where he famously won the Premier League and FA Cup, and is considered one of the club's greatest players. He also represented England, scoring seven goals in 26 appearances and was part of the squads for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.