adminFrank Lampard has announced he has left Chelsea after his contract ran out at the end of the season. Lampard has been strongly linked with a move to join up with new MLS franchise New York City FC once he returns from World Cup duty with England. Lampard is Chelsea’s all time record goal scorer with 211 goals and has won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and two Community Shields in his time at Stamford Bridge playing 648 games.
Lampard said: “When I arrived at this fantastic club 13 years ago I would never have believed that I would be fortunate enough to play so many games and enjoy sharing in so much success.
“This club has become part of my life and I have so many people to thank for the opportunity. Firstly, Ken Bates, who put his neck on the line to sign me as a young player and without him I would not have even begun this experience.
“Roman Abramovich, the man who saved our Club and took us all to new levels. His desire to push the Club to the top of the football world has rubbed off on everyone.
“All the managers and coaches who have helped me develop my game during the time I have been here. I have learnt from every one of them.
“All the brilliant team mates who I have been lucky enough to train and play alongside for so long. Not just their football qualities but also the friendships I have gained along the way.
“I’d also like to give a special mention to all the staff and people behind the scenes at the club who do not receive the glory but without them the Club would simply not function.
“The club will move forward, and as a Chelsea man I have no doubt that with the quality of the players that are there, they will continue with the success that we have all enjoyed over the past seasons.
“Finally and most importantly, I would like to thank the Chelsea fans. I believe they are the greatest fans in world football. You have supported me from the moment I arrived. Not only on the pitch, but in difficult moments in my personal life off the pitch. I will never forget.
“I feel honoured to have shared so many special times with you. Bolton, Amsterdam, Munich, the list goes on and on. I, and we as a team, could not have achieved those moments without your support.
“Hopefully I will get to see you all soon to say goodbye properly. In the meantime thank you for the memories and keep making history!”
The England international formed a vital part of the spine of the team built by Jose Mourinho after the arrival of owner Abramovich alongside the likes of John Terry, Petr Cech and Didier Drogba.
Drogba left the Blues in 2012 and, while Terry has penned a new deal after an impressive season, Cech’s place is likely to come under threat from the returning Thibaut Courtois.
Left-back Ashley Cole has left the club after his contract ran out and Mourinho appears to be reshaping his squad after a third-placed finish in last season’s Barclays Premier League.
Chelsea posted a lengthy tribute to the departing midfielder on their website on Monday evening, looking back on his achievements and hailing him as one of their finest players of all time.
It concluded: “That Lampard has won more international caps while playing for Chelsea than anyone else in our history only strengthens the argument that he is one of the very greatest players to have represented the club.
“Any Chelsea supporter who has had the good fortune to watch Super Frank Lampard in full flow will know we have never seen his like in our midfield before, and we will be very blessed to again see his equal.”
Lampard had been linked with QPR earlier in the summer but Hoops boss Harry Redknapp was quick to play down those reports and a switch to New York, who have also signed Spain striker David Villa, is now being mooted.
Lampard is currently in the USA with the England squad as they prepare for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil with a training camp in Miami. — Dailymail
Online Reporter