Chelsea Legend Frank Lampard Retires After 21-Year Career

On Thursday, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard announced his departure from the game of football after a stellar 21-year career. Publicizing his retirement via Instagram, the 38-year-old midfielder mentioned although he received “a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad” that it’s time to hang it up and focus on the next “chapter” in his life: coaching. “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,” said Lampard.

Lampard spent last season playing for NYCFC in the MLS, whom he thanks, but he’s most known for his time at Chelsea, where he’s often regarded as the greatest player in the club’s storied history. Between 2001 and 2014, Lamps racked up a number of accolades, including a Champions League trophy in 2012, a Europa League title in 2013, and 2005’s FIFA POTY and Ballon d’Or Silver Awards. With 177 goals, he sits fourth all-time in the Premier League, while his 147 goals for Chelsea alone make him the club’s all-time leading scorer. We can go on-and-on about Frank’s accomplishments, but instead you can check out Chelsea’s tribute video below.

Football lost one of greatest goal-scoring midfielders of all time and Chelsea’s beloved son today. Farewell, Lamps.

Here’s his retirement announcement from Instagram:

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.