Leicester hero Jamie Vardy signs new contract to ward off Chelsea and Liverpool interest

JAMIE VARDY has been tied down to a new contract with Leicester that will keep him at the club until 2019.

 

Jamie Vardy broke the Premier League record earlier this term for most goals in consecutive games

 

The Foxes striker has been a revelation this season, fighting his way to becoming the Premier League’s top scorer with 18 goals in 25 games.

His contributions in attack have helped Leicester to create the story of the season as the Foxes now have a five-point gap at the top of the table following their fight with relegation just last term.

Vardy’s new deal was announced after Claudio Ranieri’s men stormed to a shock 3-0 win at title rivals Manchester City yesterday.

The contract has added an extra year to the England international’s previous deal at the club, while it is understood that he is on wages of £70,000-a-week.

 

Vardy’s terrific form, alongside key partner in attack Riyad Mahrez, has attracted the attention of many big clubs, with Chelsea and Liverpool hotly linked.

However, Ranieri’s determination to keep his side settled and focused has led to Vardy securing his future, giving Leicester a real chance of title success.

“I’ve never known a spirit like it - from the owners, to the manager and his staff, the players and the fans,” Vardy said on signing his three-and-a-half-year contract. “I want to be part of it for a long time.

"Leicester City have shown nothing but total faith in me since the day I arrived here three and a half years ago and it's impossible to measure how much that belief has helped me to improve. 

“I’ll forever be grateful for the investment the Club has made in me and I’ll spend every day working to repay it."

 

The Foxes extended the gap between them and outside the Champions League qualification places to 13 points at the Etihad.

With such a platform to build on, Ranieri is delighted to have sorted Vardy’s future and outlined how far the former non-league striker has come.

"Jamie is a fighter,” the Foxes boss said. “He has had an unbelievable journey to get to this point in his career and continues to play every game as if it's his last. 

“I love his spirit, which is a quality I want in my players above all else.”

“He has shown what a fantastic player he is and, more importantly, he is part of a fantastic group. I am very happy that he will stay with us for a long time."