Cremonese director: Vardy ‘knows sacrifice’ | OneFootball

Cremonese director Simone Giacchetta says Jamie Vardy’s value convinced the club to sign him as a free agent this summer: ‘He knows sacrifice.’

Leicester City legend Vardy was unveiled as a new Cremonese player today.

Vardy formally joined Cremonese on deadline day, signing a one-year contract with an option for a further campaign.

The club’s sporting director Giacchetta spoke during the event, which was held at the Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi in Cremona.

Cremonese director comments on Vardy’s signing

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 18: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City acknowledges the fans during a lap of honour following his final appearance as a Leicester City player in the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at The King Power Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

“If just a few months ago someone had told me that today I’d be presenting Jamie Vardy, I would have called them a visionary, but in football distances close quickly,” Giacchetta said via Gianluca Di Marzio.

“What convinced us the most is the values that Vardy, as a champion, represents.

“From the start, we wanted to open ourselves to the international market. Every team and every coach dreams of a striker who can deliver the kind of performances that guarantee you can stay in the division. At the same time, we didn’t want to stray from the requirements this group demands.”

Cremonese’s strong start in 2025-26

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Federico Bonazzoli of Cremonese celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Vardy has joined a Cremonese side that surprisingly won the opening two games of the season against Milan and Sassuolo.

Roma, Juventus and Napoli are the only three other clubs with two victories in the opening two games of the current campaign.

“We’ve always looked for hungry players, eager to keep the standard high,” Giacchetta continued.

“One day, the idea came up to approach Vardy. We’re talking about a player who was a top scorer in the Premier League and has won so much.

“He knows sacrifice and thrives in adversity. I believe we are alike in this. He is an excellent embodiment of the philosophy that if you genuinely believe, dreams do come true.”

Vardy, 38, scored 145 goals in 342 Premier League appearances, winning the domestic title with Leicester City under Claudio Ranieri in 2015-16.

Cremonese’s next game is against Hellas Verona on Monday, September 15.