Jamie Vardy, 38, joins Cremonese in Serie A, stating “age is just a number.” After a successful Leicester City career, he aims to help Cremonese stay in the league and embraces the challenge with his trademark determination, joining other veterans in Serie A.
Jamie Vardy, the former Leicester City striker, has declared that "age is just a number" as he embarks on a new chapter in his illustrious career, joining Italian Serie A side Cremonese. The 38-year-old veteran, revered as one of Leicester's greatest players, brings a wealth of experience and a relentless hunger for success to his new club.
Vardy's departure from Leicester at the end of last season marked the end of a remarkable 13-year spell. During his time with the Foxes, he etched his name into club folklore, scoring an impressive 200 goals in 500 appearances. His contribution was instrumental in Leicester's fairytale Premier League title-winning season in 2015-16, where he bagged 24 goals.
Image source, Getty ImagesVardy joined Leicester in 2012
Cremonese, newly-promoted to Serie A, secured Vardy's signature on a free transfer earlier this month, signaling their ambition to compete in the top flight. He is poised to make his debut for the club in their upcoming match against Verona, a game that could provide an early indication of Cremonese's potential this season.
Responding to questions about his motivation and the ability of veterans to perform at the highest level, Vardy retorted, "You must be one of the doubters. You're one that I'll have to prove wrong." He added, "For me age is just a number. As long as my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on. At the moment there are no signs of them slowing down so I'll keep going and I will be giving my all for this club."
Vardy joins a growing list of seasoned players who have made the move to Serie A, including Kevin de Bruyne and Luka Modric, further enhancing the league's reputation and competitiveness. Their presence will undoubtedly attract more attention to Italian football and inspire younger players.
Acknowledging the importance of integrating into his new environment, Vardy stated, "I will learn Italian, but [for now] it is not a problem: football has its own language, with the ball." His commitment to embracing the local culture will endear him to the Cremonese fans and help him settle into the team.
Cremonese have made a strong start to the Serie A season, highlighted by a surprising 2-1 victory over AC Milan and a 3-2 win against Sassuolo. Vardy's arrival will undoubtedly bolster their attacking options and add a clinical edge to their game.
Looking ahead, Vardy emphasized the importance of securing Cremonese's place in Serie A. "The main task is making sure we stay in the league, and that's how it was when I was at Leicester," he explained. "It was never any, 'we are going to go for this', it was always, 'we need to stay in the league', that's the main thing. So all you do, you go out, you take each game one-by-one, give your all, what will be will be."
Jamie Vardy's move to Cremonese represents an exciting new chapter in his career. His determination, experience, and goal-scoring prowess will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset to the club as they strive to establish themselves in Serie A. As he himself says, age is just a number, and Vardy is ready to prove his doubters wrong.