Former Chelsea And England Midfielder Frank Lampard Retires After 21-Year Soccer Career

Frank Lampard, a former midfielder for Chelsea and England’s national team, announced on Thursday his retirement from a 21-year professional career.

Frank lampard retires after 21-year soccer career

The 38-year-old, who last played for New York City FC and left the Major League Soccer club at the end of last year, announced his decision in an Instagram post.

Lampard made 649 total appearances for Chelsea and won 106 England caps.

After rising through the youth ranks at childhood club West Ham United beginning in 1996, the midfielder moved to Chelsea in 2001 for £11 million ($13.8 million at today’s exchange rate). During his 13 years with the English club, he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2011-2012 Champions League. Lampard captained Chelsea to a penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich in 2012 in the absence of the suspended John Terry.

Only Ryan Giggs (632) and Gareth Barry (615) have made more Premier League appearances than Lampard (609).

When Lampard left Chelsea in the summer of 2014, he was the team’s record goalscorer with 211 goals in 649 games. His total of 177 Premier League goals is the fourth highest after Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole. Lampard has also netted more goals from outside the penalty box than any other Premier League player (41).

Also, no England player has scored as many penalties as Lampard (nine) excluding shootouts.

He spent the 2014-15 season back in the Premier League at Manchester City — scoring against his former club in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium — before moving to NYCFC.

“After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer,” Lampard wrote on Instagram. “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.”

“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,” he said. “Looking forward, I’m grateful to the FA (Football Association) for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.”

Lampard also thanked all four clubs he played for, including the coaches and managers.

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. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, 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. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates 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. 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.

A video posted by Frank Lampard (@franklampard) on Feb 2, 2017 at 2:56am PST

Who knows what awaits Lampard next. Perhaps coaching is in the cards for him. Time will surely tell.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 24:  Frank Lampard of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2015 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena