Jamie Vardy’s football journey has taken a dramatic new turn as he and his family embrace life in Italy, following his high-profile move to Serie A newcomers Cremonese. The 38-year-old former Leicester City legend, who left the Foxes as their all-time great after a storied 13-year spell, is now gearing up for a fresh challenge in the Italian top flight. And while the transfer itself made waves on both sides of the Channel, it’s the Vardys’ adaptation to La Dolce Vita that has fans and pundits buzzing.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the Vardy clan. Jamie’s decision to sign a one-year deal with Cremonese—with an option for a further year if the club avoids relegation—came after a flurry of interest from clubs around the globe. Dutch giants Feyenoord reportedly tried to hijack the transfer at the last minute, and lucrative offers from the Middle East were on the table. Yet, for Jamie, the lure of competitive football in a storied European league, coupled with the adventure of living in Italy, proved irresistible. "Jamie could have got more money going to the Middle East, but money is not the most important thing. He's playing in a great, competitive league, in the twilight of his career, with an exciting newly-promoted team and living in Italy. What's not to like," a friend of the couple shared with the Mirror.
The Vardys have wasted no time settling into their new surroundings. House-hunting expeditions have become a regular occurrence, with Rebekah Vardy, Jamie’s wife, shuttling between London and northern Italy to scout potential homes. The family is considering lavish properties in Milan, Bergamo, and the stunning Lake Garda region—all within a short drive of Cremona, the historic city that Cremonese calls home. The city itself, with its narrow, cobbled streets and world-famous musical heritage, is a far cry from the Vardys’ previous life in Leicester and their home outside Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Rebekah’s Instagram has been flooded with snapshots of their Italian adventure, including a recent post from the violin museum in Cremona. Alongside a heartfelt video of the couple exploring the city, Jamie declared, “Couldn’t do this without you,” underscoring the strong partnership that has carried them through both triumph and adversity.
The move comes on the heels of a turbulent period for the Vardy family. Rebekah’s involvement in the so-called Wagatha Christie scandal—where she was accused by Coleen Rooney of leaking stories to the press—dominated headlines and led to a costly High Court battle. In early 2025, Rebekah paid the final installment of Coleen’s £1.27 million legal costs, with the judge expressing hope that the payment would mark "the end of a long and unhappy road." A close friend remarked, “There’s no doubt it was a tough time for Rebekah. But she is made of strong stuff and has drawn a line under the whole affair. And now she is throwing herself into the move with gusto.”
Beyond the legal drama, Rebekah has her own projects in the pipeline. As of May 2025, she’s been spotted filming a new Netflix show, adding another layer of excitement to the family’s Italian chapter. “With the Netflix show—and now the move to Italy, things are really on the up for Rebekah. It seems she and the family really are living La Dolce Vita,” a friend shared.
Back on the pitch, Jamie Vardy’s competitive fire remains undiminished. At a recent press conference, a Serie A journalist questioned his motivation to keep performing at the highest level given his age. Vardy’s response was vintage Jamie: “You must be one of the doubters. You’re one that I’ll have to prove wrong. For me age is just a number. As long as my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on. At the moment there are no signs of them slowing down so I’ll keep going and I will be giving my all for this club. I will learn Italian, but [for now] it is not a problem: football has its own language, with the ball.”
His new team, Cremonese, has started the Serie A season in spectacular fashion, notching wins against Sassuolo and European heavyweights AC Milan to sit joint top of the league. The anticipation is building for Vardy’s potential debut, which could come as soon as Monday, September 15, when Cremonese travels to face Hellas Verona. The club’s flying start has only added to the buzz around the Vardy family’s arrival in Italy. A source close to the player noted, “He is relishing the chance to prove himself in a different league. He has seen the likes of Scott McTominay doing so well at Napoli, which has caught everyone’s imagination. A lot of players towards the end of the career just go off to the MLS or the Middle East just to pick up a pay cheque, but Jamie—despite his age—is still keen to play at an established league, and Rebekah is fully behind him, and is up for the adventure.”
Meanwhile, the Vardy children are also adjusting to their new environment, with Rebekah overseeing their enrollment in international schools. The logistics have been demanding, with frequent trips to the Italian embassy and early morning flights from London City Airport. “It’s been pretty relentless—particularly as the kids are all being enrolled into international schools as well—but there is a real sense of excitement at immersing themselves into a new culture, and way of life,” a family source explained.
Jamie’s move marks the end of an era for Leicester City, where he etched his name into club folklore by scoring 24 goals in their miraculous 2015/16 Premier League title-winning campaign and lifting the FA Cup in 2021. “I’ve had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some downs but a majority, all highs, but it’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about but I think the timing is right,” Vardy reflected in April.
As the Vardys continue to settle into Italian life, their story is one of resilience, adventure, and a willingness to embrace change. Whether it’s Jamie’s determination to silence the doubters on the pitch or Rebekah’s efforts to forge a new chapter for the family, there’s no question that the Vardys are making the most of their European adventure. With Cremonese riding high in Serie A and the family thriving in their new surroundings, all eyes will be on Jamie as he prepares for his much-anticipated debut. For now, the Vardys’ Italian journey is just beginning, and the excitement shows no signs of slowing down.
