Sunday 24 May 2015 20:08, UK
Frank Lampard admitted he was full of mixed emotions after bidding farewell to the Premier League with a goal in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Southampton.
Lampard bowed out of English football ahead of his move to New York City FC in style with a trademark finish, and said he was feeling a mix of sadness and pride.
Lampard leaves the Premier League having scored 177 goals in 609 appearances during stints for West Ham, Chelsea and City.
He said: “It’s a special day for me, obviously. A mixture of emotions, a bit of sadness to be finishing off but a lot of pleasure to be fortunate enough to have had the career I've had.
“It has been with great clubs, [had] fantastic opportunities to win things for Chelsea for the bulk of my career, and to come here for a year and be welcomed. It has been a pleasure and a good way to sign off.
“I'm a lucky boy. Not many people play for a club as big as Chelsea for so long and then get the opportunity to come to a place like this for a year.”
Lampard will now join Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who also left Premier League football on Sunday, in the MLS.
But the 36-year-old’s sign-off message did not disclude Chelsea, where he won every major club trophy during a 13-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
He added: “The personal and individual things are great, but the idea when I was a little boy wishing to play in the Premier League for my home club West Ham, to go on to a team like Chelsea and win everything and then to be here at the end of my career.
“I've made a lot of friends up here so I'll enjoy tonight, then I have another challenge, I'm fresh and I'm ready to go. I'm not completely finished yet.”
Lampard paid tribute to the club when he addressed supporters prior to the players' lap of appreciation.
He said: "I have turned up here at age of 36. I didn't know what to expect, from the dressing room and the fans and living in this city, and all I can say is thank you so much to everybody.
"This is a very special club and from bottom of my heart it's been a pleasure to play for you."
