LONDON: Jamie Vardy, a pivotal figure in Leicester’s fairytale 2015/2016 Premier League title-winning campaign, extended his contract with the Foxes on Saturday until 2024.
The 35-year-old former England international says he feels “like part of the furniture” at the club who he joined in 2012 from then non-league Fleetwood.
He has scored 133 Premier League goals in 272 appearances including 24 in the 2015/16 season when under Claudio Ranieri they defied the traditional powerhouses to lift the league trophy.
“I’m obviously over the moon,” said Vardy, who has scored 164 goals in 387 appearances in all competitions.
“Once I heard it was something the club was looking at, there was only one thing that was going to happen, and I was going to sign it. The decision was easy.”
Vardy’s contract was due to expire in 2023 and he had been linked with ailing giants Manchester United during the transfer window.
“I’ve been here long enough now that I feel like part of the furniture,” said Vardy.
“My legs are still feeling great so I’ll carry on helping the Club as much as I can, whether that’s scoring or assisting, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Vardy — who also enjoyed FA Cup success with Leicester in 2021 — won the Premier League golden boot in 2019-20 with 23 goals and scored seven times in 26 appearances for England.
Leicester icon Vardy extends contract with Foxes
https://arab.news/8fxth
Leicester icon Vardy extends contract with Foxes
- The 35-year-old former England international says he feels "like part of the furniture" at the club
- He has scored 133 Premier League goals in 272 appearances including 24 in the 2015/16 season
Barcelona reach quarter-finals of Copa del Rey with 2-0 win
- The Spanish FA will conduct the quarter-final draw on Monday, with ties scheduled for February 3-5
Second-half goals from Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal gave Barcelona a hard-fought 2-0 victory over second-tier leaders Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, sending them into the quarter-finals.
In a tightly contested match, the breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Torres timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and latched onto a through ball before rounding goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta and finishing into an empty net.
Deep in stoppage time, after Racing’s Manex Lozano missed a sitter from close range, Barcelona didn’t waste the chance to put the game to bed with Yamal finishing a quick counter attack.
Barcelona join Athletic Bilbao, Alaves, Albacete, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Valencia in the last eight. The Spanish FA will conduct the quarter-final draw on Monday, with ties scheduled for February 3-5.
Determined to avoid a similar fate to Real Madrid, who were stunned by lower-league Albacete on Wednesday, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick fielded a near full-strength team at El Sardinero Stadium.
The visitors dominated possession early on but found Racing to be resolute opponents. Dani Olmo wasted a golden chance, while Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia reacted smartly to deny Racing’s Camara Suleiman in a lively opening half.
After Torres scored the opener in the 66th minute, Ezkieta made successive superb saves late on, denying Fermin Lopez and substitute Robert Lewandowski from close range in the 80th minute, keeping Racing’s hopes alive.
The hosts thought they had equalized twice in the dying moments, only for both goals to be ruled out for offside.
Racing substitute Lozano had a golden chance to equalize, sprinting forward on a counter-attack. However, he opted to shoot from close range rather than pass to an unmarked teammate, allowing Garcia to make a save.
Barcelona punished the missed opportunity in the very next play. Raphinha’s low cross found Yamal, who slotted home to seal the win and Barcelona’s progression into the final eight.
