Jamie Vardy cites Alessandro Del Piero as inspiration as family await visas ahead of Cremonese debut

Jamie Vardy could make his first competitive appearance for newly promoted Cremonese on Monday as the 38-year-old forward said he has taken inspiration from former Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero and is settling into life in Italy while his family complete visa formalities.

Cremonese travel to Verona having started the Serie A season with two wins from two, and Vardy — who signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year — said he was eager to help the Lombardy club continue their run. "When I was younger, it was Del Piero," Vardy said. "You watch him play — he was unbelievable. Watching him score most weeks was really encouraging for me. Having watched that, me coming here and trying to do exactly the same — it’s really exciting."

Vardy confirmed his wife, Rebekah, and their five children are expected to join him in due course but are not yet living in Italy because of visa procedures. Rebekah accompanied him for the contract signing before returning to the United Kingdom to sort the paperwork, he said. The children named by Vardy include Megan, 20; Taylor, 15; Sofia, 14; Finley, eight; and Olivia, six.

The forward, who spent 13 years at Leicester City and scored 200 goals in 500 appearances for the club, said he was settling in and focusing on match days. "Once I made my decision, that was it. I was coming here. I’m settling in really well and just can’t wait to get going now," he said. "It’s all about match days and wanting to pick the results up, so now it’s about just knuckling down when I get given the opportunity, helping my teammates out as much as I can and hopefully chipping in with some goals."

Vardy's move to the Serie A new boys drew a warm reception from supporters, according to the club and the player. He was presented with a hero's welcome on arrival and was photographed signing a fan's leg where the supporter had a tattoo of the forward.

A conversation with Cremonese coach Davide Nicola played a key role in Vardy's decision to move, the player said. "The passion that he’s got for the football club and for the football itself, and how he wants to progress and wanting a team of fighters — that was me down to a tee," Vardy said. He added that adaptation to a new league was part of the challenge: "Every week, it’s not about who you’re playing against, it’s what you do as a team and that’s what we’re just going to concentrate on. They’re all going to be difficult. Everyone wants to get three points. I might have to adapt slightly, but it’s something that I’m looking forward to doing. I’m here to fight, to score, and to help this club make its mark."

Vardy arrives in Italy late in a career that has included a Premier League title, an FA Cup, and the Premier League Golden Boot in 2020. His longevity at top level drew a parallel with Del Piero, who played for Juventus across more than 500 matches and continued at a high level into his late 30s; Del Piero retired at 39.

Cremonese signed Vardy as they seek experience and goals to support their bid to remain in Serie A. The club's two wins at the start of the season have raised expectations among supporters, and Vardy's immediate fitness and integration into Nicola's system will shape the striker's early impact. Club officials and coaching staff have not publicly set a timetable for when Vardy will make his competitive debut, leaving selection for the Verona match to the manager's assessment ahead of kickoff.