Jamie Vardy hailed for 'the most unnecessary smash into the net in football history' after wild finish... as the Leicester legend's brace launches Championship title celebrations

Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy has been hailed by fans for his 'unnecessary' wild finish as the veteran striker helped the Foxes clinch the Championship title on Monday night.

Enzo Maresca's side had already secured promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but knew victory against Preston would seal the title.

Vardy opened the scoring a Deepdale with a scuffed finish in the first half, before delighting fans when completing his brace in the second half.

Defender Wout Faes had struck the post after a mazy run into the box, with Vardy reacting quickly to latch onto the rebound in the six yard box.

The 37-year-old, despite being presented with an open goal from close range, opted to blast the ball into the roof of the Preston net.

Vardy's powerful shot even saw the former England international lose his footing and fall to the turf.

Leicester claimed Vardy's thumped finish, his 20th goal of the campaign, could be their 'favourite goal of the season'.

'Here comes Faes, round one, past another, he shoots and it's back off the post, Vardy's there. Does he tap it home? Nah, he absolutely thumps it into the top of the net and the away end is LIMBS!!!' the Foxes tweeted.

Fans quickly took to social media to laud the veteran for blasting the shot, with the forward described as 'one of a kind'.

'Jamie Vardy with the most unnecessary smash into the rood of the net in the history of football,' one account wrote.

'You love to hate him, can almost guarantee he screamed "have it" as he hit it,' another said.

A third simply wrote 'The most Jamie Vardy goal', while a Preston fan admitted 'I really respect it' despite the forward scoring against their club.

Leicester eventually wrapped up a 3-0 victory with Kasey McAteer completing the scoring to seal the title.

The victory also set up the prospect of Leicester reaching 100 points if they win their final match of the season.

'The first goal was best, but worst, connection of my career. As long as they're on target, they can go in. The second one came to me and followed it in. There was no way I was missing it,' Vardy told Sky Sports post-match.

Vardy, who has scored 190 goals in his 12 years at the club, admitted he is unsure of whether he will remain at Leicester for their Premier League return.

'I might not be,' Vardy said. 'I'm not ready to hang the boots up yet, the legs feel fine. I feel as fit as I ever have, so we'll just see what happens.

'This club is massive. I'm not going to shy away from it. They took a massive punt on me when they signed me. A non-League player. It took time for me to adapt. 

'I struggled in my first season but second season we hit it off like a house on fire. The goals started flowing.'

Vardy has already cemented himself as a Leicester legend thanks to his leading role in their shock Premier League title win in 2016.

The forward has also secured the FA Cup with the Foxes, as well as two Championship titles. 

Under the terms of Vardy's current contract, Leicester’s game with Blackburn on Saturday would be his last for the club.

Leicester supporters are thought to be planning a tribute to Vardy at King Power Stadium as the team complete their campaign in the second tier.

Mail Sport understands both Vardy and Leicester are open to a new one-year contract in the top flight, even though negotiations will be delicate. 

Vardy believes he can continue playing past his 40th birthday and his performances this term mean he is likely to have alternative offers.

Leicester have been charged with breaking spending rules and could face a points deduction next season, and Vardy has long been their highest earner. But such is the respect between both parties that they will work hard to find a solution.

The 37-year-old played non-league football until his mid-twenties but after joining Leicester from Fleetwood Town, he developed into one of the best strikers in the country, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2020 and playing for England in a World Cup semi-final two years earlier.

When Vardy lifted the FA Cup in 2021, he was the first player to have competed in every round of the competition, from the first qualifying stage to the showpiece at Wembley.