Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has retired, bringing to an end a 21-year professional career.

The 38-year-old, who spent last year with New York City in Major League Soccer in the US, announced his decision on social media on Thursday.

Lampard played for West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City and New York City which was his last club. Lampard retires having won 106 England caps and scored more than 300 career goals - 211 of them during a 13-year spell with Chelsea that saw him become the club's record scorer.

Announcing his decision on Instagram, Lampard said:"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."

Lampard joined Chelsea from West Ham in 2001. His club-record 211 goals helped the Blues win the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and a Community Shield.< /p> The midfielder played a pivotal role as Jose Mourinho's side delivered Chelsea's first top-flight title in half a century, scoring 13 goals including both in the 2-0 win over Bolton in April 2005 that proved the league-winning victory.

He added a career-high 16 league goals the following season as Chelsea retained their title, finishing 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, reaching 22 as he collected a third Premier League winner's medal in 2009-10.

He was a pivotal player as Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League the following year.

SOURCE: NAIJ Posted on 02/02/17