Midfield Maestro

Ferocious finisher, gifted passer and fan favorite, he is one of the best midfielders of his generation.

Prolific scorer with terrific engine, Frank Lampard is the all-time top scorer for Chelsea with a total of 211 goals under his belt.

The veteran playmaker is also an author of an enchanting series “Frankie’s Magic Football’, children books. The decision to hang his studs on his 15-year international career will sadden many a heart.

Early Life

Frank James Lampard was born on 20 June, 1978 in Romford, London. Surrounded by footballers from a young age, he saw his father play for the national team. The association with football ran even deeper as his uncle was manager of a football club. He is an alumnus of Brentwood school, London. 

Club Career

Lampard began his career at West Ham United, where his father was the assistant coach, joining the youth team in 1994.

Later on that year, he had a spell at Swansea City football club on loan, where he scored his first career goal. When he got back to West Ham he was benched for the rest of the season.

After a few good seasons with the club, Lampard moved to another club because he didn’t like the way West Ham treated his father.

The next move proved to be the turning point in his career – he joined Chelsea F.C for £11million in June 2001.

In his first season, he impressed the Chelsea management and played every match, scoring eight goals. He burst into life in the 2003/04 season, finishing second after Thierry Henry for the Player of the Year award.

In the 2004/05 season, 13 goals by him in the league fired Chelsea to their first Championship title since 1955. Overall he netted 19 in all competitions.  Another 16 in the league the following season helped the Blues retain their title.

In the next season, he stepped into the captains shoes and helped his team lift the FA Cup. His assist in extra time tilted the score in their favour.

He continued playing for the club till 2013-14 season, breaking records,setting new ones and giving fans memorable moments.

International Career

Lampard earned his first cap for England on 10 October 1999 in a 2–1 friendly win over Belgium, and scored his first goal on 20 August 2003 in a 3–1 win over Croatia.

Lampard became only the eighth English player to earn his 100th England cap, doing so in a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, in 2013. He announced his retirement from international football with 29 international goals.

Honors

English Premier League winner: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10

UEFA Champions League: 2011–12

2005 FIFA World Player of the Year: Silver Award

2005 Ballon d’Or: Silver Award

England Player of the Year: 2004, 2005