Jamie Vardy finds a kindred spirit in Serie A side Cremonese

Jamie Vardy may be starting a new life in an unfamiliar country, but the former Leicester City striker insists he finds himself on familiar ground at Serie A side Cremonese. 

When the 38-year-old left the King Power Stadium for Italy last month on a free transfer, he drew a line under a 13-year career at Leicester that reached its zenith with the club’s shock Premier League title win in 2016.   

When Vardy signed for Leicester from former non-league side Fleetwood Town in 2012, few could have anticipated he would go on to score 200 goals in 500 games for the club, let alone play a starring role in one of the most extraordinary achievements in the history of English football.

Underdog mentality

Back then, the 25-year-old forward barely even met the description of a journeyman. Released by Sheffield Wednesday at 16, he had rebuilt his football career the hard way, combining factory work with games for Northern Premier League side Stocksbridge Park Steels at £30 a pop – and never mind that he had to wear an electronic tag for six months following an assault conviction. 

A season at Halifax Town would follow before Fleetwood came in for him, and by the time he arrived at Leicester the underdog mentality that has shaped his career was irrevocably formed. A move to Serie A – where newly-promoted Cremonese are playing in the Italian top flight for only the ninth time in club history, and are widely tipped for the drop – is not about to change that. Indeed, Vardy regards the club as a perfect fit.

‘Throughout my career, I’ve been doubted’

“Throughout my career, I’ve been doubted,” said Vardy, who was linked with a move to Celtic before opting to continue his career overseas. “Always have been, always will still. What I’ve always managed to do is turn that around and prove them all wrong.

“Speaking with the manager, there was a lot of doubt in Italy about Cremonese being able to stay in the league – and with how the manager is, and the passion he’s got and his work ethic, that’s not what he wants.

“He wants to be the underdogs that are overachieving. To be able to be a part of that and prove people wrong and fight for this badge, that was definitely one of the reasons [for moving to Cremonese].”

Vardy, who was only interested in playing for a club in one of Europe’s top leagues, joins fellow Serie A newcomers Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric, respectively aged 34 and 40. He has no truck with the notion that age might prove a barrier to success.

“For me, age is just a number, it really is,” Vardy told a press conference on Wednesday. “As long as my legs are still doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do, 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 acknowledges that his lack of Italian has been an obstacle, but says the positives of the move far outweigh any obstacles. Backed by his family, a manager who went out of his way to court him in Davide Nicola, and a supportive club owner in Giovanni Arvedi, the striker is determined to let his football do the talking.

‘It is going to be a big change’

“The language is difficult at the moment, but the one thing that’s always constant is that football is its own language,” said Vardy.

“Originally there was talk of it happening and obviously, coming into a different country, it’s tough. I had to make sure I had conversations with my wife, my kids, my loved ones, because it is going to be a big change.

“But one thing that happened was, thanks to technology, I was able to get on a Zoom call with the manager. We spoke for 45 minutes to an hour, and he was showing his passion for the club and how he wants to push on. Just looking in his eyes and what he wanted, that really resonated with me – and I think as a footballer it is always nice to feel wanted. 

“I managed to have a meeting with Mr Arvedi and, for someone so successful, I couldn’t believe how humble he is and the commitment he’s got personally, not just to the club but to the city itself. He was very thoughtful in bringing me a book on Cremona in English that was easier for me to understand, such a nice man, and wants the club to be as successful as it can be.”

All that remains now is for Vardy to write a new chapter in his own story.