Tributes have poured in for Frank Lampard after the 38-year-old former Chelsea star announced his retirement.
The midfielder said he was looking forward to the "next chapter" of his life after turning down "a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad".
Lampard, who played for West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City during a 19-year Premier League career and made more than 100 appearances for England, left New York City last autumn.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
He began his career with his boyhood club West Ham, where his father Frank Snr was a coach, and made his debut in January 1996 as a 17-year-old.
But it was his 13-year association with Chelsea that established him as one of the greats.
After leaving Stamford Bridge he spent a season with Manchester City before heading to the US where he spent a season with New York City.
His retirement brings to an end "a glorious 21-year career in which the midfielder wrung every last bit out of his ability with an astonishing desire and determination", says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph.
"Lampard is undoubtedly one of the finest players of his generation, one of the best-ever to play in the Premier League and was a formidable competitor who will forever be associated with Chelsea's incredible rise."
He won 11 trophies during his career including three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2012.
"He was the model of consistency, respected and admired by team-mates and opponents alike," says Phil McNulty of the BBC, who adds that Lampard's "legendary status and standing as one of the greatest players of the modern era is cemented by statistics".
Here are a few:
- Lampard made 609 Premier League appearances – third in the all time list behind Gareth Barry and Ryan Giggs.
- In 2013 he became Chelsea's record goalscorer overtaking Bobby Tamblin's record of 202, and finished his time at Stamford Bridge with 211 goals. He also scored 29 times for England and finished his career with 303 senior goals.
- Despite playing in midfield he is the fourth highest goalscorer in Premier League history – behind Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole – with 177 goals.
- He scored 41 Premier League goals from outside the box – more than any other player – and found the net against 39 different top-flight teams, another record.
- Between October 2001 and December 2005 he made a record 164 consecutive Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
- He made 106 appearances for England, seventh on the all time list, level with Bobby Charlton. He also scored a record nine penalties for the Three Lions.
