SAN FRANCISCO, February 02, (THEWILL) – Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has announced his retirement after more than two decades in football.
Lampard, 38, made his debut 1995 at West Ham and spent most of his playing career at Chelsea, 2001-2014, finishing as their record goal scorer with 211 goals.
In his time at Stamford Bridge, Lampard won the 2012 Champions League, 2013 Europa League, three Premier Leagues and four FA Cups with the Blues. He earned 106 England caps between 1999 and 2014.
The midfielder last played at New York City in Major League Soccer where his contract expired after the 2016 season, having also featured for Manchester City in the last chapter of his career.
Lampard, one of just three players to score both 100 goals or more and have more than 100 assists in the Premier League, said he owed a debt of gratitude to all the clubs he played for but saved the biggest thanks for Chelsea, where he played the bulk of his career.
“After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer,” Lampard wrote on Facebook.
“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.
“Chelsea fans gave myself and my team-mates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Lampard hinted that he may now move into coaching.
“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.
Described as one of the very best ‘box-to-box’ midfielders of his generation, Lampard made a habit of arriving late and slamming in goals from outside the area. He has a tally of 41 goals from outside the box, more than anyone in the Premier League history.
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