Jamie Vardy signs new Leicester City contract

Jamie Vardy has signed a new contract with Premier League leaders Leicester City to keep him at the club until 2019.

The 29-year-old has been a key figure in Leicester's remarkable rise to the top of English football this season, scoring a league-high 18 goals, including a Premier League record run of 11 consecutive games in which he found the back of the net.

His form has seen him called up to the England squad as well, with the former non-league player expected to be a key part of Roy Hodgson's side for the European Championship this summer.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be fighting to achieve something special with this club, as part of this squad. I've never known a spirit like it - from the owners, to the manager and his staff, the players and the fans. I want to be part of it for a long time," Vardy told the club's official website.

"Leicester City have shown nothing but total faith in me since the day I arrived here three-and-a-half years ago and it's impossible to measure how much that belief has helped me to improve. I'll forever be grateful for the investment the club has made in me and I'll spend every day working to repay it."

Manager Claudio Ranieri added: "Jamie is a fighter. He has had an unbelievable journey to get to this point in his career and continues to play every game as if it's his last. I love his spirit, which is a quality I want in my players above all else.

"He has shown what a fantastic player he is and, more importantly, he is part of a fantastic group. I am very happy that he will stay with us for a long time."

Vardy was part of the Leicester side who ensured that they would finish the day five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.