Frank Lampard announces retirement from football

February 5, 2017

On Thursday, former English midfielder Frank Lampard announced retirement from football via, finishing a 21-year professional football career. Lampard said, "After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. [...] at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life."

The 38-year-old midfielder made his debut in the mid-1990s and played for and Swansea City before he joined London-based football club Chelsea F.C. in 2001 for 11million. Spending thirteen seasons with The Blues, Lampard scored 211 goals in all competitions for Chelsea, a club record, in nearly 650 appearances for the club. Lampard won three titles, four, two , and one each of UEFA Champions League and.

Lampard spent one season with Manchester City F.C. before moving to club. Lampard played 29 matches with the New York club scoring fifteen goals. Lampard has scored goals against 39 different Premier League clubs.

Lampard won 106 international caps for England, scoring 29 goals and featuring in three &mdash; 2006, 2010 and 2014 &mdash; before retiring from the national team in 2014. He made his international debut in 1999 against Belgium.

Lampard said he is to study for coaching qualifications. Lampard wore a blue coloured jersey for most of his career.