Leicester City’s difficult period has continued to deepen, with the Foxes facing a very different reality from the one they enjoyed only a few years ago.
The club’s decline has been severe both on and off the pitch. Leicester suffered back-to-back relegations, dropping from the Premier League to the Championship and then into League One, with the 2025/26 campaign ending in 23rd place.
A six-point deduction for breaching financial sustainability rules made an already difficult season even harder, while relegation has also placed further pressure on the club’s finances through the significant reduction in revenue.
Life in League One has so far proved far from the straightforward rebuild many supporters had hoped for. Leicester began the new campaign with a 1-1 draw at Notts County before suffering further setbacks, including a heavy 4-0 home defeat to Oxford United that left them 17th after five league matches.
Instead of immediately challenging for promotion, the Foxes have found themselves struggling to rediscover stability in the third tier. Uncertainty surrounding the ownership, player sales and the rebuilding of the squad has only added to the frustration, with Leicester attempting to find the right balance between young players and experienced members of the squad.
The latest development, however, has brought an emotional reminder of the club’s recent past.
Former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has now completed a surprise move to Burnley after leaving Serie A side Cremonese at the end of last season. The 39-year-old free agent has signed a one-year deal with the Championship club, providing Burnley with additional experience in attack following the deadline-day departure of Zian Flemming to Ipswich Town.
“I’m really happy to now be here at Burnley,” Vardy said of his move to Turf Moor.
“This club has a proper footballing history and passionate fans who deserve a team that represents them and their town.
“I can’t wait to get going on the pitch and help the team move in the right direction.”
Vardy remains one of the most important figures in Leicester’s modern history. He played a central role in the Foxes’ extraordinary 2015/16 Premier League title triumph and scored 200 goals during his 13-year spell at the club after joining from Fleetwood Town in 2012.
He also scored seven goals in 26 appearances for England and found the net seven times in Italy last season.
For Burnley, the move represents an attempt to add experience and leadership to a team that has also endured a difficult start to its campaign.
“We are delighted to welcome Jamie to Burnley,” Clarets boss Nicky Hayen said.
“His experience and leadership will be invaluable to our squad and we believe he can make a significant impact on our campaign.
“Jamie has a proven track record and we are looking forward to seeing him in a Claret shirt.”
But Vardy’s departure from Leicester has also brought renewed attention to an issue that has been discussed among supporters for some time.
There has been speculation over the relationship between Vardy and Leicester director of football Jon Rudkin, particularly after Vardy’s farewell message did not mention Rudkin.
That speculation intensified in June 2026 when Vardy was asked by a fan, “Rudkin’s the problem then?” His response — “I can neither confirm nor deny” — immediately fuelled further discussion about the situation.
The full details of any disagreement between the pair have never been publicly confirmed, meaning claims of a specific feud remain speculation.
Nevertheless, with Leicester struggling to find their footing in League One while one of the club’s greatest-ever players has now moved on to a Championship rival, the latest development will inevitably raise fresh questions about how the Foxes reached this point and whether the decisions made behind the scenes have played a part in their dramatic fall.
