Frank Lampard's stop at New York City FC proved to be the last of his illustrious career.
Lampard announced early on Thursday that he was hanging up his legendary cleats, thus ending a 21-year career that included plenty of hardware and more than 300 goals. The 38-year-old indicated he'll begin working toward his coaching qualifications.
"After 21 incredible years," he wrote, in a social media post. "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 his time at NYCFC, Lampard wrote: "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."
Lampard's career was littered with accomplishments, both from an individual and collective standpoint: Winning both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League once, claiming three English Premier League titles, lifting four FA Cup trophies, and earning more than 100 caps for England on the international level. He also represented the Three Lions in three World Cups (2006, '10, '14).
The goal-scoring Englishman will be remembered mostly for his long stint with Chelsea, but he began his career by first playing for West Ham United and Swansea City. He then joined the Blues, where he became an icon and household name around the world, before suiting up for Manchester City and then New York City FC.
At NYCFC, Lampard spent two seasons as a Designated Player. He appeared in a total of 29 regular-season matches during the 2015 and 2016 campaigns and showed off his instinctive nose for goal with a combined 15 tallies. Twelve came last year, as Lampard helped NYCFC earn their first trip to the playoffs.
