Jamie Vardy: 'Age is just a number' as former Leicester striker joins Cremonese

Jamie Vardy says “age is just a number” as he opens a new chapter in Italy after signing for newly promoted Serie A side Cremonese.

The 38-year-old, who ended a 13-year spell at Leicester City this summer, completed a free transfer to the northern Italian club earlier this month and could make his debut against Verona on Monday. Vardy scored 200 goals in 500 appearances for Leicester, including 24 in the club’s 2015-16 Premier League title-winning season.

Asked whether he and other veterans who have also moved to Serie A this summer remain motivated to perform at the highest level, Vardy responded that doubters would be proven wrong. "For me age is just a number. As long as my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on," he said. "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 said he planned to learn Italian but that language was not a barrier on the pitch. "I will learn Italian, but [for now] it is not a problem: football has its own language, with the ball," he added.

Cremonese have made an unexpectedly bright start to the season, opening with a 2-1 win over AC Milan before securing a 3-2 victory against Sassuolo. Vardy said the immediate priority for the club is to secure Serie A survival. "The main task is making sure we stay in the league, and that's how it was when I was at Leicester," he said. "It was never any, 'we are going to go for this', it was always, 'we need to stay in the league'... you take each game one-by-one, give your all, what will be will be."

Vardy’s move marks a rare late-career switch for the striker, who rose from non-league football to become one of Leicester’s most influential players. His transfer follows the end of a lengthy association with the Foxes that began in 2012 and saw him play across cup competitions and the Premier League, earning both domestic and international recognition.

Cremonese, promoted back to Italy’s top flight after a period in the second tier, have bolstered their squad for the demands of Serie A. The club’s early positive results have eased some pressure but maintaining form over the course of the season will be crucial if they are to secure another year at the top level. Vardy’s experience, finishing ability and commitment will be central to Cremonese’s hopes of survival as the campaign progresses.

The striker’s potential debut against Verona will be the first competitive appearance of a career that has featured a rapid rise and a standout Premier League title. How Vardy adapts to the tactical and linguistic challenges of Italian football will be watched closely by supporters in England and Italy alike, while the club and player stress a pragmatic, match-by-match approach to the season ahead.