London, Feb 7 (IANS): English Premier League (EPL)'s top scorer Jamie Vardy has signed a new contract with the leaders Leicester City.

The 29-year-old Vardy, who has scored 18 goals in the football league this season, on Saturday signed terms that commit his future to Leicester City for a further year beyond his existing deal until 2019, reports Xinhua.

Vardy said: "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.

"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."

Leicester head coach Claudio Ranieri said: "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."

Since joining Leicester in the summer of 2012 from non-league Fleetwood Town, Vardy has completed an impressive rise to the top of the English game, establishing himself as a Premier League striker and England international just three years after his final non-league appearance.