Chelsea's
all-time record goalscorer Frank Lampard announced on Monday he was leaving the
Londoners after a 13-year spell with the Stamford Bridge club.
The England
World Cup midfielder, who joined the Premier League club from London rivals
West Ham United in 2001 for a fee of £11 million, scored 209 goals in all competitions
for Chelsea.
"Whatever
the next challenge is for me I will always be amongst you and have Chelsea in
my heart," Lampard told the club's fans in a statement.
"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."
Lampard, who
turns 36 on June 20 and will be England's vice-captain at the World Cup in
Brazil, has been linked with a move to new Major League Soccer franchise New
York City.
The New York
club announced earlier on Monday that Spain World Cup forward David Villa had
signed on a three-year deal from Atletico Madrid.
Lampard won
three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League
and the Champions League with Chelsea.
"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," he said.
"This club
has become part of my life and I have so many people to thank for the
opportunity. Firstly (former chairman) 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," he added, referring to the Russian billionaire who bought the
club in 2003.
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