Jamie Vardy gets contract offer from big football club as his future takes a surprising turn
Former England striker Jamie Vardy has reportedly been offered a chance to join one of South America’s biggest clubs as he looks for a new team.
Vardy, 39, is currently without a club after his contract with Italian side Cremonese ended in June, following just one season there. He had a good run in Italy, scoring seven goals in 29 games, but couldn’t stop the team from being relegated to Serie B.
Many thought the 2025/26 season might be Vardy’s last before retirement because of his age. However, it seems he’s still keen to keep playing, with talks linking him to several teams, including a return to his first club, Sheffield Wednesday.
On August 15, Sheffield Wednesday’s chairman David Storch said the club would love to have Vardy back, 24 years after he left. “At some point, I’ll be able to share the full story,” Storch told talkSPORT. “Let’s just say we’d be thrilled to have him here. We’re working through some restrictions to find a way to offer Jamie something that makes sense for him.”
There have also been rumors connecting Vardy to Championship club West Ham United, who want to return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation. Meanwhile, Vardy has dismissed any idea of a surprising return to Leicester City.
But could he soon be playing in South America? According to ESPN Brazil, São Paulo has reached out to Vardy. The Brazilian club sees his availability as a great chance to bring him in.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano shared on X: “São Paulo have approached Jamie Vardy to join the club as a free agent! A surprise move from the Brazilian side to tempt the Leicester City legend. Vardy is considering several options and hasn’t made a final decision yet.”
The club isn’t worried about Vardy’s fitness. They’re impressed with his attitude and work ethic. If he does join São Paulo, he’d come in halfway through their season, where they currently sit 12th in Brazil’s top league after 22 games.
Earlier this year, in Untold UK: Jamie Vardy, he talked about how he knows his body will tell him when it’s time to stop playing. “Football is tough on your body and mind. It’s a hard grind, so sometimes I just want to forget about it. But I still love the game. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be playing,” he said.
“Luckily, my legs still feel good,” Vardy added with a smile. “Do I think about life after football? Not really. I’m more of a ‘take it day by day’ kind of guy, which can annoy some people I know.”