One of the most storied English careers has come to an end as former West Ham United, Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard has hung up his boots
Lampard began his career as a 17-year-old at the Boleyn Ground after rising through the ranks at West Ham United. An impressive six-year senior stint with the Hammers ended with Lampard moving to Chelsea in 2001, and that started one of the most illustrious careers in the club’s history.
Lampard was subsequently part of Chelsea’s most successful period, winning every trophy in club football with three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two league cups, Europa League and a Champions League.
And that was not all, as he is also Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals – an incredible feat for a player who plied his trade as a midfielder.
Other than this, Lampard also won a raft of individual honours through his career, with the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year Silver Awards, Premier League player of the season and FWA Footballer of the Year just some of his biggest achievements.
Lampard left New York City FC in November after a one-year stint with the MLS club, and announced his retirement in a statement on his Facebook page. The former England midfielder said he had taken the decision to retire despite receiving “a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad”.
As soon as he announced his retirement tributes started flowing in for the Chelsea great on social media. Here are the best tweets
What a career. Thank you, Frank. #SuperFrank pic.twitter.com/IjolD8EtWp
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 2, 2017
Happy retirement, Frank Lampard!
607 apps (all-time 3rd highest)
177 goals (4th)
102 assists (2nd)@MyTopps relive an amazing career… pic.twitter.com/fqEtJLmzmk— Premier League (@premierleague) February 2, 2017
Happy retirement, Frank Lampard! ?
Congratulations on a phenomenal career! ? pic.twitter.com/d7qjPR69A1
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) February 2, 2017
Good luck, thanks for the memories and all the best for the next chapter of your career, Frank Lampard! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/qzsusKvEdI
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 2, 2017
Captain in back-to-back #UCL & #UEL final wins with Chelsea, Frank Lampard retires from football. ?
UEFA club appearances 132 ?
Goals 29 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/bL7SPA8K0x— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 2, 2017
Legend ?
Congratulations to Frank Lampard on an incredible career!
He’s announced his retirement from playing, aged 38 pic.twitter.com/zzE0sFIctU— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 2, 2017
After all those Chelsea battles & Frank Lampard now retiring, I can finally admit the respect I had for him & that he was a great player!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 2, 2017
211 – Frank Lampard is @ChelseaFC‘s all-time top goalscorer with 211 goals. Legend. pic.twitter.com/TheW3s2TQq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2017
39 – Frank Lampard scored against a record 39 different teams in @premierleague history. Super. pic.twitter.com/sn1OETePT0
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2017
Needless to say, Chelsea fans came out in scores to pour tributes to the club legend.
A legend has retired. Everything Lampard did was special for me. Every goal he scored for Chelsea, every time he kissed the badge. Special.
— Arpan Chhabra (@arpan_chhabra) February 2, 2017
Frank lampard was one of the few footballers that genuinely inspired me to want to play week in, week out. Absolute legend #CFC
— Billy (@BILLY_tee1) February 2, 2017
This has to be my favourite Frank Lampard moment. pic.twitter.com/ALxadTF1RC
— Conte Style (@Pranav_CFC) February 2, 2017
My role model, my hero, OUR legend. Thank you Frank Lampard, for being the epitome of a leader, on & off the pitch. You legacy will live on. pic.twitter.com/q178m4cHXQ
— Ervin (@DieHardCFCFan) February 2, 2017
Frank Lampard retires from football. What a player, one of a kind. We will never see his type again. Legend.
— TalkOfTheBridge (@TalkOfTheBridge) February 2, 2017
When your idols retire it’s a painful feeling. Thank you for the memories Frank Lampard.
— Beardless Assassin (@SaintmrDuffle) February 2, 2017
Frank Lampard has announced his retirement as a player. For me, the greatest PL midfielder ever and my sporting hero growing up.
— Matt (@MattAldridge31) February 2, 2017
A true legend of the beautiful game. Goal scoring midfielder of dreams! 300+ for club and country! All the best Frank Lampard! ❤✌️ pic.twitter.com/vpUQaHbXa1
— Jay Russell?? (@jayo2k13) February 2, 2017
Frank Lampard has officially retired. Classiest footballer ever. Absolute legend! ? pic.twitter.com/y5AAXW2ztS
— Feroze Ali (@feroze17) February 2, 2017
Replaced Drogba with Costa
Cech with Courtois
Terry with Luiz
But Lampard’s replacement?
Not found & never will be. #SuperFrank— Farees Rahman (@fareesrahman) February 2, 2017
Today the best English midfielder and best premier league midfielder ever retires. All the best Frank Lampard. Chelsea legend!
— KRIS SWANSON (@The_KrisSwanson) February 2, 2017
Thank u Super Frankie for ur contribution to @ChelseaFC .?????? blue is the color, Lampard is the Legend
— Mike Sefa Boachie (@mike_s_boachie) February 2, 2017
FRANK LAMPARD SCORED 10 OR MORE PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS FOR 10 SEASONS IN A ROW. BOW DOWN TO THE G.O.A.T ⚽??? pic.twitter.com/4c8inowKWb
— #FRANKLAMPARDLEGEND (@Mokone_MHK) February 2, 2017
The hardest thing to do in football is score a goal…
That alone makes Lampard the best midfielder in PL history! What a player!
— Ian Dyer (@_iandyer) February 2, 2017
End of an era! Chelsea legend Super Frank Lampard retires from being a professional footballer. #ThankYouLegend
— Lavinah Deborah (@LavinahMchelsea) February 2, 2017
Frank Lampard, simply the greatest there has ever been. We were so lucky to have him at Chelsea for over a decade – what a career! ???
— Baasto (@baastojr) February 2, 2017
Fortunate enough to say that I was able to watch Frank Lampard play at Chelsea. What a man. What a player. Legend. #SuperFrank
— Ben (@ProperChelsBen) February 2, 2017
No matter what club you support, Frank Lampard is a legend ?
— Curt. (@CurtisCov) February 2, 2017
I will miss you, Frank Lampard. LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/oXa9ZHPQP0
— Hazard ? (@Hazard_GOD) February 2, 2017
Some are leaving, some are retiring… I feel old! ? FRANK LAMPARD, THE LEGEND!! THANK YOU! ??❤#ALLTIMEFAV pic.twitter.com/JCf38CiDBj
— Mehreen (@MehreenBurney) February 2, 2017
