Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has retired, bringing down the curtain on his 21 years professional career. The 38-year-old whose last club was New York City FC in the Major League Soccer in USA made the announcement on the social media on Thursday.
The midfielder who won 106 caps for England made his debut in the Premier League in 1996 at West Ham United before joining Chelsea in 2001 where he spent 13 trophy-laced years before leaving for the MLS in June 2014. Frank Lampard is one of three players to record both 100+ goals & 100+ assists in PL history. The other two are Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney.
He was an influential member of the team and a cult hero at Chelsea, winning three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League, a Community Shield and the 2011/12 Champions League trophy. He scored 211 goals in 649 appearances for the Blues making him the club’s highest goal scorer.
He spent the 2014/15 season in the Premier League, on loan from New York City FC, with Manchester City before leaving the American club when his contract expired. He recorded much success at the club level of his career but couldn’t replicate the same with England. His final major tournament for England was the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, where England was eliminated at the group stage.
He spurned many offers to return to England to continue playing but he said he “look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities” his coaching qualifications brings.