Jamie Vardy (born 11 January 1987) is an English striker currently playing for Burnley F.C., whose remarkable rise from non-league football to Premier League stardom with Leicester City defines his career. After being released by Sheffield Wednesday at 16, he climbed the ranks through Stocksbridge, Halifax, and Fleetwood before Leicester signed him for a then-non-League record £1 million in 2012. In the historic 2015-16 Premier League season, he scored in 11 consecutive matches (breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy's record) and won the Player of the Season award as Leicester shocked the world to win the title. He later added the Golden Boot in 2020, the FA Cup in 2021, and captained the club to promotion in 2024, finishing his Leicester career with 200 goals in 500 appearances before leaving in 2025. Internationally, he debuted for England in 2015, played at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, and retired from international duty after that tournament.