El centrocampista inglés Frank Lampard, antiguo jugador de West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City y New York City FC, ha anunciado este jueves su retirada del fútbol profesional después de 21 años de carrera.

Lampard, de 38 años, que abandonó el conjunto neoyorquino a final de la pasada temporada, ha decidido, pese tener ofertas de varios clubes de la Premier League, “empezar un nuevo capítulo” en su vida.

“Después de 21 años increíbles, he decidido que es el momento indicado para terminar mi carrera como futbolista profesional”, señaló a través de un comunicado, publicado en su cuenta de Instagram.

“Pese a que he recibido varias ofertas muy tentadoras, tanto de (equipos) de casa como del extranjero, a los 38 años de edad creo que es el momento de empezar un nuevo capítulo en mi vida”, apuntó.

After 21 incredible years, 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 the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals. I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. 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. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. 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. Looking forward, I’m grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.

Un vídeo publicado por Frank Lampard (@franklampard) el 2 de Feb de 2017 a la(s) 2:56 PST

Lampard se retira después de haber sido internacional en 106 ocasiones con la selección inglesa absoluta y tras marcar más de 300 goles en su carrera, 211 de ellos durante un periplo de 13 años en el Chelsea.

Con el conjunto del suroeste de Londres, al que llegó en 2001 procedente del West Ham, disputó 649 encuentros y levantó tres títulos de la Premier League, cuatro Copas de Inglaterra, dos Copas de la Liga, una Community Shield, una Liga de Campeones y una Liga Europa.

“Estoy tremendamente orgulloso de todos los títulos que he ganado, de representar a mi país en más de 100 ocasiones y de haber marcado más de 300 goles a lo largo de mi carrera”, aseveró Lampard en la nota, acompañada de una fotografía celebrando un tanto con la camiseta del Chelsea.

El veterano mediocampista, que debutó en la Premier League con el West Ham en 1996, recaló en el Chelsea cinco años más tarde por 11 millones de libras, donde acabó jugando durante 13 temporadas y se convirtió en el máximo goleador histórico del club.