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| Frank Lampard with steven Gerrard |
Football
Former Chelsea and England
midfielder Frank Lampard has announced his retirement from football after 21
years as a professional player.
The 38-year-old enjoyed
spells with West Ham United, Chelsea and Manchester City during his illustrious
career before moving to America in 2015 to play for MLS side New York City.
Lampard made more than 600
appearances for Chelsea, winning three Premier League trophies and one
Champions League title with the club.
The midfielder also won
106 caps as an England player, starring in three World Cup tournaments and two
European Championships.
In a statement released on
social media, Lampard said: "After 21 incredible years, I have decided
that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer.
"Whilst I have
received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at
38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life.
"I’m immensely proud
of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of
scoring more than 300 career goals."
"I have many people
to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work,
dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in
everything that I do."
Lampard added: "Of
course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea Football Club, a club
which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity
they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together."
The player started his
career at West Ham, his father's former club, joining the youth team in 1994.
His debut for the senior side came two years later against Coventry City in
January 1996.
After six seasons at the
club, Lampard completed his £11m move to Chelsea in June 2001 where he went on
to establish himself as one of the country's greatest midfielders.
His club-record 211 goals
helped the Blues win the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, four FA Cup,
two League Cups, the Europa League and a Community Shield.
He played a pivotal role
during Jose Mourinho's first season in charge at Stamford Bridge as the side
went on to clinch their first top-flight title in half a century.
Lampard notably scored 10
or more Premier League goals in 10 successive seasons for the Blues, reaching
22 in the 2009/10 season.
But despite his
achievements on the domestic stage, Lampard was unable to reach such success on
an international level.
A core member of England's
ill-fabled 'golden generation', the midfielder never progressed beyond the
quarter-final stages of a major tournament with the national side.
In particular, his
partnership with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard failed to live up to expectation as
the pair struggled to bond under a series of England managers.
Lampard announced his
retirement from international duty following England's disappointing 2014 World
Cup campaign.
The former player is now
undertaking his coaching qualifications as he looks to follow a host of retired
Premier League footballers into management.
"Looking forward, I'm
grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications
and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision
opens," he said.
Credit:
MarketingWeek
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