Jamie Vardy reveals special advice from Chelsea's ex-Leicester boss Enzo Maresca before completing sensational transfer to Serie A side Cremonese

Vardy, who will don the number 10 shirt, is relishing the challenge of proving himself on foreign soil. While some expected him to take a lucrative final payday or a quieter retirement route, the veteran forward has surprised them all. Dutch legend Robin van Persie had made a strong pitch to lure Vardy to Feyenoord, but the Englishman opted for the underdog option in Cremona.

But what exactly swayed Vardy towards Cremonese? The answer lies in a familiar face from his Leicester days. While the likes of Claudio Ranieri, the mastermind of Leicester’s miraculous 2016 Premier League triumph, and Esteban Cambiasso, a Serie A legend, were natural points of contact, it was Maresca who proved pivotal.

Speaking about the decision to join Cremonese, Vardy admitted: "There's only one of those I've been speaking to for the entire summer out of them [Maresca, Ranieri and Cambiasso], we still keep in touch, which is Enzo. I managed to have a good chat with him once we knew it was going to be a possibility, and he did nothing but the sign the praises of the club and Cremona as a city. His advice was to come here and that was it."

The international break has delayed Vardy’s first appearance in Italy, but anticipation is building fast. Having only signed at the end of August, his match sharpness isn’t where it needs to be. However, there's every chance the veteran could lace up as soon as September 15, when Cremonese face Hellas Verona. Even if he starts on the bench, his very presence will light up the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium.