Jamie Vardy, the legendary former Leicester City striker, has signed for Burnley until the end of the season. The 39-year-old forward joins the Championship club as a free agent after his departure from Italian side Cremonese, as reported by BBC Sport Football this week.
Vardy is Leicester City's record Premier League scorer with 145 goals. He spent 13 years at the King Power Stadium after signing from Fleetwood Town in 2012, making 500 appearances and scoring 200 goals in all competitions. He won 26 caps for England, scoring seven times, before departing for Cremonese in 2025.
Why did Burnley sign Jamie Vardy?
Burnley are currently bottom of the Championship and have not won in five matches under new manager Nicky Hayen. The club were relegated from the Premier League last season and suffered a damaging 2-1 home defeat to Bristol City on Saturday, conceding two late goals. Hayen believes Vardy's experience can help turn their campaign around.
"His experience and leadership will be invaluable to our squad, and we believe he can make a significant impact on our campaign," said Hayen. The move provides Burnley with a proven goalscorer as they fight to climb the table.
What is Leicester City's current situation?
While Vardy begins a new chapter, his former club Leicester City are navigating their own challenges in League One. As of September 7, 2026, the Foxes sit 17th in the table with five points from five games. Their record shows one win, two draws, and two losses, with a recent form of LWDLD. They have scored four goals and conceded seven, giving them a goal difference of minus three. You can track their progress in the standings.
Leicester are already seven points behind league leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Their next fixture is a tough away trip to face third-placed Stockport County on September 12. The full schedule is available on the club's fixtures page.
What did Jamie Vardy say about the move?
Vardy expressed his enthusiasm for joining Burnley, highlighting the club's tradition and fanbase. "This club has a proper footballing history and passionate fans who deserve a team that represents them and their town," the striker said. His arrival brings a wealth of top-level experience to a squad struggling for form.
The transfer marks a return to English football for a player whose career peaked with Leicester's incredible Premier League title win in 2016. His relentless pace and finishing became hallmarks of that success. Now, he aims to bring those qualities to Turf Moor.
Burnley will hope Vardy can provide an immediate spark. The Clarets' attacking struggles are evident, and a player of his calibre, even at 39, could be the difference in tight matches. His knowledge of the Championship, from Leicester's earlier campaigns, will also be an asset.
For Leicester fans, it is another reminder of a fading era. The club's current squad is building its own identity in League One, with a different set of challenges. Supporters can review the current playing group on the official squad list. Jamie Vardy's next appearance will be in the claret and blue of Burnley as they host their next Championship opponent.
