Vardy Signs New Deal With Leicester City

Jamie Vardy has signed a new contract with Leicester City that is designed to keep the England striker at the club until 2019.

Sky sources understand the deal is worth £80,000 per week and is a reward for Vardy's sensational form this season.

The 29-year-old leads the Premier League scoring charts with 18 goals and has helped fire Leicester to the top of the table.

Vardy told Leicester's official website: "I'm absolutely delighted to be fighting to achieve something special with this club, as part of this squad.

"I've never known a spirit like it - from the owners, to the manager and his staff, the players and the fans. 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."

Vardy's extension is more good news for Foxes fans on a day that saw their team stun title rivals Manchester City with a convincing 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri believes Vardy embodies the spirit he wants to see in all of his players and was delighted to see the England forward commit his long-term future to the club.

Ranieri said: "Jamie is a fighter. 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."