Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has retired, bringing to an end a 21-year professional career.
The 38-year-old, who spent last year with New York City in Major League Soccer in the US, announced his decision on social media on Thursday.
Lampard made 649 appearances for Chelsea and won 106 England caps.
“Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life,” said Lampard.
“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.”
‘Super Frank’ at Stamford Bridge’
Lampard joined Chelsea from West Ham in 2001. His club-record 211 goals helped the Blues win the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and a Community Shield.
The midfielder played a pivotal role as Jose Mourinho’s side delivered Chelsea’s first top-flight title in half a century, scoring 13 goals including both in the 2-0 win over Bolton in April 2005 that proved the league-winning victory.
He added a career-high 16 league goals the following season as Chelsea retained their title, finishing runner-up to Barcelona forward Ronaldinho in both the Ballon d’Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards.
Lampard scored 10 or more Premier League goals in 10 successive seasons for Chelsea, reaching 22 as he collected a third Premier League winner’s medal in 2009-10.
A Champions League success finally followed in 2011-12 as Lampard captained the side to a penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich in the absence of the suspended John Terry.
“He was definitely a world-class player for a long period of time,” said BBC football analyst and former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin. “I don’t think we rate him as highly as we should do.
“He is kind of remembered just for scoring goals. That he was phenomenal at, just worldly at scoring goals from midfield. There are very few people on the planet who can score that number of goals from midfield.
“He was a better all-round footballer than he was given credit for. When he was moved further back at the end of his career for Chelsea, he realised that his passing, short and long, was exceptional.”
