Jamie Vardy’s fairytale now includes some personal silverware to accompany collective honors most expect is coming his, and Leicester City’s, way.
England’s Football Writers Association voted Vardy the 2015-16 Footballer of The Year on Monday, awarding the Leicester City striker one of English soccer’s two most prestigious individual honors. Vardy earned 36 percent of the 290 votes, topping teammates Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, the FWA announced.
“It’s a great honour to win such a prestigious award and to have my name added to a list of previous winners that includes some unbelievable players,” Vardy said in a statement. “Thank you to the Football Writers’ Association and to everyone that voted.
“Thank you also to my team-mates, who are the reason I’ve been able to achieve anything.
Vardy has fired Leicester City to the brink of the Premier League title. He trails Tottenham’s Harry Kane by two goals for the Premier League’s golden boot, which goes to the top scorer.
The Foxes will win their first-ever domestic championship with one victory or two draws in its final two games.
“It’s been an amazing season for all of us at Leicester, based on the team-work not individuals, which you can see in the voting,” Vardy continued. “Thanks also to the manager, all the staff and the fans for their support.
“We’re all totally focused on getting over the line in the final two weeks of the season and turning a great season into one we’ll never forget. Hopefully I can contribute to that and, if selected, carry some good form into the Euros this summer.”
Vardy shares Footballer of the Year recognition with Mahrez, who won the Professional Footballers’ Association’s (English players union) player of the year award last week by vote.
And to think Vardy, 29, was playing semi-pro soccer and working part time at a factory as recently as 2012. He started from the bottom. Look at Vardy now.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@premierleague
