NYCFC announced today the signing of England National Team and Chelsea FC legend Frank Lampard.
New York City FC, Major League Soccer’s 20th expansion team, is thrilled to announce the signing of England National Team and Chelsea FC legend Frank Lampard. One of the most illustrious and respected English Premier League midfielders of all time, Lampard becomes the team’s fourth team member, as the Club continues to assemble a competitive and dynamic squad ahead of its inaugural season next year.
Lampard, whose signing was officially announced at a community event in Brooklyn Bridge Park this morning, brings with him the highest level of football ability and a wealth of experience to the new franchise which makes its debut in March 2015.
Lampard joins David Villa, Jeb Brovsky and Josh Saunders on the roster at the Club and has signed a two-year contract which starts August 1st. He will wear the number 8 jersey, the number he has worn throughout his decorated career in European football.
“I am really excited about joining New York City FC and helping to play a real part in building something special in one of the sporting capitals of the world,” said Lampard. “The passion of the nation’s fans at the World Cup was second to none and I am looking forward to meeting New Yorkers and tapping into their love of the game. It is a privilege to be able to help make history here in New York City - I just can’t wait to get started and be part of it.”
“It is going to be an exhilarating opportunity for us all to create this fantastic new MLS Club , in a league that is growing quickly in popularity and ability. Hopefully my experience can help us have an impact in my first season. I love a challenge and being competitive and I know everyone at New York City FC does too. I am sure we will make the city and our fans proud.”
The 36-year-old, who captained England in the World Cup in Brazil this summer, is a potent balance of power and poise and is accomplished in both attack and defense. A consummate professional, Lampard played in almost 600 EPL games, including an amazing 164 in succession. He is a three-time winner of the Premier League, has won four FA Cups and captained Chelsea to the club’s first Champions League win in 2012. Lampard was also his former clubs Charity Champion supporting various initiatives, including a scheme to encourage families to read more and improve the literacy of children.
An exceptional goal scorer, Lampard scored in excess of 200 goals for club and country, boasting the enviable accolade of being the Premier League’s highest scoring midfielder ever. A regular name in FIFA, UEFA and Premier League all-star squads, he was also nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year in 2005.
As part of New York City’s ongoing commitment to local communities within New York, immediately after his unveiling press conference Lampard took part in a soccer clinic with 40 local children from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy program, run by coaches from the Play Study Win scheme.
Lampard will be working under New York City FC Head Coach Jason Kreis, who has been busy looking for players as the Club aims to build a competitive squad.
“I am really looking forward to working with Frank,” he said. “His leadership, maturity and experience are perfect characteristics for a new Club like ours. He is a rare talent, one that scores a lot of goals from midfield, yet is also a disciplined defender and someone who reads the game brilliantly. A gift for a coach.”
“Frank has a tremendous appetite for the game and that will be an enormous help not only to me and the coaching staff but also the rest of the players, particularly the younger ones who can look up to Frank and attempt to emulate his achievements. He has just come from the World Cup and still very much at the top of his game. His desire and work ethic will be infectious.”
Those words were echoed by NYCFC’s Sporting Director Claudio Reyna, himself a former midfield player in the English Premier League. He added:
“I am delighted Frank has joined us, he was an obvious choice. I have played against him many times and can vouch for his quality. Frank is one of the best midfielders to have played the modern game, a legend in England and hopefully he will become one here, too.”
Season tickets to see Frank Lampard and New York City FC’s inaugural season in MLS are on sale now. Call 855-77-NYCFC or visit www.nycfc.com/tickets to order online.
Fans can also purchase their exclusive Frank Lampard New York City FC shirt at nycfc.com/shop, limited supplies are available.
The signing of Lampard follows a sequence of announcements, asserting the intentions of the Club to build an exciting team for the city of New York.
After announcing the inception of the Club in Harlem in 2013, Jason Kreis was unveiled as Head Coach in midtown Manhattan, followed by news from the Bronx that NYCFC will play its inaugural seasons in MLS at the iconic Yankee stadium.
Transaction: New York City FC signs Frank Lampard to a Designated Player contract.
Notes for editors
Frank Lampard’s career highlights:
• Chelsea’s all-time leading goal scorer with 211 goals from 648 appearances.
• No midfield player has scored more goals in the history of the Premier League. Frank was also the first midfielder to score 20 league goals in a season.
• He has played 103 times for England, captaining the national team on numerous occasions. Frank first played for England in 1999 and has played at many major tournaments including Euro 2004 and the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
• Lampard has won eleven major titles in his career, including three Premier League titles and four FA Cups as well as captaining Chelsea to their first Champions League win in 2012.
Play Study Win Scheme
The mission of Play Study Win is to encourage young people of all ages to develop a passion for soccer and other forms of physical activity that will lead to a healthy, active and confident lifestyle on and off the playground, and to stress the place of physical activity in a well-rounded and enlightened educational framework.
This announcement follows several major announcements from New York City FC in recent months, including the announcement of Yankee stadium as the Club’s first home, the unveiling of the team’s official badge, and the hiring of Jason Kreis as the team’s first Head Coach.
