Adios Legend! Chelsea Icon ‘Super’ Frankie Lampard Announces Retirement

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has officially announced his retirement from football.

The 38-year-old was out-of-contract ever-since leaving MLS side New York City FC in November.

Lampard won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, Four FA Cups, one Europa League and one Champions League titles in his illustrious career.

The Blues icon is also their record goalscorer with 211 goals and also the only midfielder in the Premier League history to have scored over 150 goals.

Lampard wrote, “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.”

Super Frank won 106 caps for England and has stressed that he would continue pursuing coaching badges.

Lampard started his career at his father Frank Lampard Sr’s West Ham United.

He came through the ranks at Upton Park, before uncle Harry Redknapp handed him senior debut in 1996.

Lampard quickly became a fan favorite and made his England debut in 1999.

As he started showing his brilliant goalscoring skills, Chelsea came calling and signed him in 2001 for £11 million.

He became a key player under Claudio Ranieri, but the arrival of Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho brought out the best in him.

During Mourinho’s first season at Chelsea, Lampard scored 19 goals in all compeition and was named Premier League player of the season.

This was followed by 20 goals in the next season and winning the POTY again.

While, scoring 20 goals a season from 2006 to 2010 consistently.

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