How did Jamie Vardy rise to the Premier League?

Jamie Vardy was released from Sheffield Wednesday's youth team at age 16, reportedly because he was too short. He then played for an eighth-tier club on a weekly wage of 30 pounds, about 50,000 won, which was not enough to live on. He took a job at a medical equipment factory in the outskirts of Sheffield, making carbon fiber braces for people with disabilities, working 12-hour shifts.

What happened in his early adult years?

According to his autobiography, Vardy was convicted of assault around age 20 after stepping in during a fight involving a friend who was being teased. He wore an electronic ankle tag and had to be home by 6 p.m., which forced him to leave some away matches early.

How did Leicester City change his career?

Vardy left the factory at 24 and scored 31 goals in one season in the fifth tier. Leicester City signed him in May 2012 for 1 million pounds, about 1.8 billion won, when the club was in the second tier. Two years later he helped lead the club back to the top flight.

How did Leicester win the 2016 title?

Leicester's pre-season title odds were 5000-to-1. On May 2, 2016, Tottenham and Chelsea drew 2-2, which confirmed Leicester as champions and made them the first club in their 132-year history to win the English top flight.

What happened to Vardy later?

Leicester were relegated to the second tier in 2025. Vardy played his 500th appearance and scored his 200th goal for the club in his final match there. At 38 he moved to Italy's Serie A, scored seven goals, but his team was relegated after one season.

For international fans

Vardy is one of the most famous underdog stories in English football. Fans outside the UK can follow his career through major sports broadcasters and streaming services that carry the Premier League and Serie A.