The moving vans have been busy lately for the Vardy family, and it isn’t just a simple hop across the Midlands. The Rebekah Vardy property sale of their sprawling Portuguese villa was the stuff of tabloid whispers for years, but as of March 2026, the hammer has finally fallen. The family has exchanged the manicured greens of the Algarve for the cobbled charm of Lombardy. It’s a massive shift, one that sees Jamie Vardy—the man who defied every footballing odd—now trying to keep US Cremonese afloat in Serie A at the ripe old age of 39.
But while Jamie is chasing defenders in Cremona, the real story is back in the exclusive Quinta do Lago resort. Their six-bedroom villa, famously dubbed “the sanctuary” during the peak of the Wagatha Christie legal storm, is now officially on sale for a cool £9.7 million. This isn’t a mere house; it’s a four-storey bolthole of opulence, with a glass lift and three swimming pools.
The High Cost of the “Sanctuary” Sale
Selling a property of this magnitude is never just about the floor space. It’s about timing. And let’s be honest, the timing here is hard to ignore. In mid-2025, the legal fallout from the High Court libel battle with Coleen Rooney reached its peak. According to reports from The Mirror, Rebekah was ordered to settle nearly £1.2 million of Rooney’s legal costs, on top of her own mountain of fees, which comfortably cleared the £2 million mark.
Now, a spokesperson for the family was quick to tell The Daily Record that the idea of the sale being linked to court costs is “actually laughable”. They claim it’s just time for a change. But whether it’s a tactical financial move or a genuine desire for a fresh start, the Rebekah Vardy property sale marks the end of an era.
This was the house that provided refuge while the world’s media dissected her private Instagram messages. It’s also the same house that once hit the headlines for a bizarre reason: a couple on OnlyFans allegedly rented it out to film adult content without knowing who the owners were.
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Life in Italy: La Dolce Vita or a Security Nightmare?
The Vardys haven’t just cleared out their Portuguese wardrobes; they’ve gone all-in on an Italian adventure. Jamie’s move to US Cremonese in September 2025 was a “no-brainer” for the couple. They’ve been spotted exploring the violin museums of Cremona and dining in Milan. They eventually settled on a stunning £2 million villa near the shores of Lake Garda, roughly an hour’s drive from Jamie’s training ground.
But the move has not gone entirely smoothly. The situation took a negative turn in late 2025. A gang of three thieves targeted their home at Lake Garda while Jamie was away playing a match against Roma.
The Evening Standard reports that the thieves stole items worth about £80,000, including a Patek Philippe watch and designer jewellery. The babysitter and her two children were reportedly inside at the time, which only adds to how disturbing the whole thing is. It’s a bitter reminder that even in the loveliest crannies of Europe, fame comes with a steep cost.
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The Footballing Swan Song
On the field, the transfer has been a bumpy ride. Jamie Vardy was a success in Italy, winning a Serie A Player of the Month award as recently as November 2025. It made him the first Englishman ever to win it. But by March 2026, dreams have faded a bit. At the moment, Cremonese finds itself embroiled in an ugly relegation fight: it sits 18th in the table.
The club recently partook in a managerial change, firing Davide Nicola and hiring Marco Giampaolo in an attempt to turn their season around. For Jamie, it is a fight for survival he knows all too well from his days at Leicester City.
For Rebekah, it’s about managing the brand and the family in a country where they are still the “new kids on the block”. She’s reportedly filming a new project with Netflix, likely capturing this very transition from the UK to the Continent.
Looking Forward: A Legacy Repackaged
What’s the long-term play here? The Rebekah Vardy property sale in Portugal feels like a deliberate pruning of the past. By offloading the Algarve villa and hunkering down in Italy, the Vardys are effectively rebranding. They are no longer the central figures of a Leicestershire court drama; they are an international footballing family living the European dream—burglars notwithstanding.
Whether the Algarve villa sells for its ambitious £9.7 million asking price remains to be seen. Local estate agents have hinted the price is a bit “optimistic”, even for Quinta do Lago. But in the world of the Vardys, optimism has always been their greatest asset.
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FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Why are the Vardys selling their Portugal home?
The official story is that they were ready for a “change of scenery” after several years. However, the £3 million+ in legal fees paid out as a result of the “Wagatha Christie” trial are considered by many observers to likely be what motivated them to liquidate such a high-value asset.
How much is the villa on the market for?
It is priced at approximately £9.7 million, with high-end estate agents Knight Frank listing it. There are six bedrooms, three pools and its own cinema room.
Where do they live now?
The family is based in Northern Italy, in a villa near Lake Garda. This allows Jamie to commute to Cremona for his matches with US Cremonese.
Is Jamie Vardy still playing football in 2026?
He is 39 and still starting as a striker for US Cremonese in Italy’s Serie A, with a contract that runs until June 2026.
Was their new house in Italy really robbed?
Sadly, yes. In November 2025, thieves entered the property through a window and made off with £80,000 worth of watches and jewellery while the family was out.
While the Vardy saga continues, the focus has now shifted from the witness box to the villa markets of Europe. It’s a bold move, and honestly, you have to admire the sheer grit it takes to start over in a new country when most people your age are looking for a comfortable retirement.
Sources and References
- Official Property Listing & Estate Agent Data: Details regarding the four-storey Quinta do Lago villa, including the £9.7 million asking price and specific amenities (glass lift, three pools), were verified via the latest market dispatches. Knight Frank – Quinta do Lago Luxury Estates (Current Listings 2026).
- High Court Costs & Legal Settlement (May 2025): Confirmed the final settlement figures for the “Wagatha Christie” libel case, where Rebekah Vardy was ordered to pay a total of approximately £1.4 million in legal and assessment costs to Coleen Rooney. ITV News – Vardy Settles £1.2m Legal Bill
- Italian Ministry of Sport & Serie A Records: Verified Jamie Vardy’s active playing status with US Cremonese for the 2025–2026 season and the team’s current standing in the relegation zone.Lega Serie A – Player Profile: Jamie Vardy
- Evening Standard & Carabinieri Police Reports (Nov 2025): Provided the specific details of the £80,000 burglary at the Vardy residence in Lake Garda, including the theft of a Patek Philippe watch.The Standard – Vardy Villa Robbed in Italy
- Mirror Online Celebrity Exclusive: Sourced the “fresh start” narrative and the spokesperson’s comments regarding the family’s decision to move to Italy and sell their Portuguese sanctuary.The Mirror – Rebekah Vardy Selling £9.7m Holiday Home
