Lampard stopt per direct: na 21 jaar einde aan indrukwekkende loopbaan

Lampard begon zijn loopbaan in 1996 bij West Ham United, waar hij ook jeugdspeler was. De Londense voetballer brak daar door, na onder meer een huurperiode bij Swansea City. Chelsea pikte hem in 2001 op, waarna Lampard een grootheid werd in het shirt van The Blues. In totaal speelde hij 429 duels voor Chelsea, met 147 doelpunten tot gevolg.

De Engelse voetballer werd een stuk minder populair bij de achterban op Stamford Bridge, toen hij in 2014 besloot over te stappen naar concurrent Manchester City. Daar speelde hij één seizoen. Zijn laatste club werd New York City FC. In totaal speelde Lamps liefst 106 interlands voor het nationale team van Engeland. Hij is na Steven Gerrard de tweede Engelse grootheid die binnen een jaar zijn schoenen aan de wilgen hangt. Hij wil net als Gerrard als coach aan de slag.

 

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.

Een video die is geplaatst door Frank Lampard (@franklampard) op 2 Feb 2017 om 2:56 PST