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did not reveal what he
plans to do next, but said he was grateful to the Football Association
for the opportunity to do his coaching badges, suggesting he may go into
management.
Former England and Chelsea midfield
star Frank Lampard retired on Thursday aged 38, calling time on a
playing career that will be remembered as one of the Premier League's finest.
Lampard did not reveal what
he plans to do next, but said he was grateful to the Football Association
for the opportunity to do his coaching badges, suggesting he may go into
management.
Chelsea's record goalscorer said
he turned down "a number of exciting offers" to carry on playing in
Britain and abroad, with Swansea manager Paul Clement revealing he had
unsuccessfully approached Lampard over a move to the Premier League strugglers
in January.
"After 21 incredible years I
have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer,"Lampard wrote on Facebook.
"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."
Lampard left New York City FC in
the autumn and also played for West Ham United and Manchester City in the
Premier League.
But it was at Stamford Bridge
where he really made his name as a prolific midfielder.
He scored 211 times for the Blues
and won every major club honour, netting the goals which in 2005 secured the
club's first championship title in 50 years.
"Of course, the largest part
of my heart belongs to ChelseaFootball Club, a club which has given
me so many great memories," Lampard wrote.
"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."
'Greatest Chelsea player'
Lampard was a pivotal figure in
the greatest period in Chelsea's history as he helped the west London club
win the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two League Cups,
the Europa League and a Community Shield.
He thrived under Jose Mourinho's
management, scoring 13 goals in their 2005 title-winning season and netting 16
times the following season as Chelsea retained their title.
In 2005, he finished runner-up to
Barcelona forward Ronaldinho in both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of
the Year awards.
Lampard scored 10 or more Premier
League goals in 10 successive seasons for Chelsea and peaked with 22
as he picked up a third Premier League winner's medal in 2009-10.
After many years of agonising
near misses, including a penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester United in
the 2008 final, Lampard finally capped his glittering career with Champions
League glory in 2011-12.
With John Terry suspended,
Lampard captained underdogs Chelsea to a shock penalty shoot-out win
over Bayern Munich in the German club's own Allianz Arena. Lampard's retirement drew tributes from
across the world of football, including his old friend Terry.
"The greatest player in the
history of our great football club,"
Terry wrote on Instagram.
"All the great memories
together winning trophy after trophy year after year I will never forget. You
have won everything and should be extremely proud.
"It's been my pleasure
and honour to play and experience all those great moments with you.
"A gentleman both on and off
the pitch, leader in the dressing room and if I could choose one person next to
me in the trenches, it would be you."
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba also called it "an
honour" to play with Lampard.
"I've learnt so much at
practices with you but even more when we were staying after training
trying to find ways to score more goals." Ashley Cole, who was a Chelsea and England team-mate,
also hailed Lampard's work ethic.
"The dedication you had will
not be matched by a lot of players, you worked every day after most went
home," Cole wrote on Instagram.
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