Jamie Vardy seals Championship return with Burnley after Serie A relegation

Burnley have completed the signing of Jamie Vardy on a one-year contract, with the 39-year-old returning to English football after a season in Italy with Cremonese.

Vardy became a free agent following Cremonese’s relegation from Serie A, having scored seven goals in 29 appearances for the club. His arrival at Turf Moor comes at a critical moment for Burnley, who were themselves relegated from the Premier League last season and sit bottom of the Championship without a win from their opening five games.

“I’m really happy to now be here at Burnley,” Vardy told the club’s website. “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’s career trajectory remains one of English football’s most remarkable stories. He rose from non-league football to become the focal point of Leicester City’s extraordinary 2015-16 Premier League title triumph, later adding an FA Cup winner’s medal and 26 England caps to his record.

The veteran forward will combine his playing duties at Burnley with a media role he announced last month, hosting live Bundesliga coverage on his YouTube channel, “Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party”. The arrangement with Bundesliga Media covers seven Friday evening fixtures, and got under way on the opening weekend of the season with Bayern Munich’s match against Stuttgart.