Jamie Vardy’s debut in Serie A with Cremonese ended in a 1-1 stalemate against Udinese, but the English forward was close to clinching a win.

After moving to Italy with his wife, Rebekah, and their three children over the summer, Vardy initially saw action only as a substitute. However, he was given a spot in the starting lineup for Monday night’s game.

Vardy’s first full match started on a high note when Pietro Terracciano scored for Cremonese just four minutes into the game.

However, shortly after halftime, Nicolo Zaniolo, a former Aston Villa winger, was left unmarked and headed in an equalizer for Udinese, the ball bouncing off the crossbar.

As the game progressed, Vardy became more involved and nearly scored his first goal in the Italian league just before the hour mark.

Jamie Vardy endured a mixed full debut for Cremonese against Udinese on Monday night

The 38-year-old missed two big chances to win the game for his new side. The first (pictured) came just before the hour mark

The second (pictured) came right at the death when Vardy cut inside and curled an effort towards goal which was blocked

After making one of his trademark bursts in behind, the 38-year-old was found with a curled ball which put him one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper. But, while bearing down on goal, the Englishman’s dinked effort was straight at the ‘keeper and saved. 

Cremonese, who were promoted from Serie B only last season, continued pushing for a winner and struck the post with a free-kick a short time later, before a huge chance once again fell to Vardy. 

In the 91st minute, the former Leicester City striker was found just inside the box before cutting inside and unleashing a curled effort which looked destined for the back of the net, only to be blocked by an Udinese defender. The clash, in which Cremonese had the better chances, ultimately finished 1-1.

Despite failing to find his first goal on Italian shores, Vardy’s debut will come as a promising sign of things to come as he and his family try to settle into life on the continent. 

It’s thought Jamie and Rebekah chose a move to Cremonese, situated near Lake Garda, after falling in love with the area while holidaying there as early as the summer of 2024. 

The couple initially made the switch alone, leaving their children back in the UK, but their three spouses are now understood to have joined them.  

They’ve settled in a luxurious £2million villa in the town of Salo, according to The Sun, around 80 kilometres from Cremonese’s training ground.

A source told the publication at the end of September: ‘Jamie and Becky are already loving Italian life, and doing all they can to blend in seamlessly.  

Jamie made the move to Italy along with his wife Rebekah and their three children

Reality TV star Rebekah, 43, has been pictured in the stands at her husband’s games

‘The whole family is having Italian lessons and Jamie is already au fait with some of the more colourful words.

‘Vaffanculo is his current favourite, he actually knows most swear words in most languages – he’s quite the polymath.

‘People close to them thought Jamie would base himself out there for the season and Becky and the kids would stay as they are – but in the end they’ve decided to throw themselves in at the deep end as a family.

‘Actually she really fell in love with the place a year or so ago when they went there on holiday, and it’s early days but they are super happy – it’s all going really well, and they’ve made some great new pals.’

Some have suggested that Vardy’s Serie A switch represents something of swan-song finish to his career.

However the former England international is adamant that’s not the case. Vardy snapped at a reporter who suggested such at his Cremonese unveiling last month.

The journalist asked: ‘In Italy we are a little bit sceptical about players like you that are approaching their 40th birthday. We tend to say where’s their motivation, how fit are they? What you say in response to these sceptics?’

Cremonese are next in action this Saturday with a fixture against Atalanta

‘You must be one of the doubters,’ Vardy snapped.

‘You’re one that I’ll have to prove wrong. No, listen, for me age is just a number. As long as, I’ve always said it, my legs are still doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on.

‘At the moment there are no signs of them slowing down so I’ll keep going and like I say I will be giving my all for this club.’

Cremonese are next in action against Atalanta on Saturday.