Frank Lampard

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

A box-to-box midfielder, Lampard began his career in 1995 at West Ham United, the club where his father Frank Sr. also played. In 2001, he was signed by London rivals Chelsea for £11 million. In his thirteen years with the club, Lampard established himself as a prolific scorer from midfield, becoming the club's all-time leading goalscorer, with 211 goals in all competitions. At Chelsea, Lampard won three Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, four FA Cups, and two League Cups. In 2005, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year, and finished runner-up for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year. After leaving Chelsea, Lampard played for fellow Premier League side Manchester City, and Major League Soccer club New York City FC before retiring in 2017. He ranked highly on a number of statistics for Premier League players for ten years from 1 December 2000, including most games and most wins. Lampard played 106 matches and scored 29 goals for the England national team, after making his debut in 1999. He represented his country at three FIFA World Cups – in 2006, 2010, and 2014 – and in UEFA Euro 2004, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament. Lampard was voted England Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Lampard is one of 11 players, and the only midfielder, to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League. He is fourth in the Premier League's all-time assists ranking, with 102 assists. Lampard holds a number of additional Chelsea and Premier League records, and has won PFA Fans' Player of the Year and the FWA Tribute Award. During his career, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year three times, Premier League Player of the Month four times, Premier League Player of the Season once, and finished as the Premier League's top assist provider three times, and was named in the FIFPro World XI and a MLS All-Star. After departing, Lampard was named in the Chelsea Team of the Decade as voted for by Chelsea fans, and into the Premier League Hall of Fame. After retiring from international football, Lampard was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2015 for services to football. Lampard served as a team captain on the ITV sport panel show Play to the Whistle from 2015 until 2017. He has also written a number of children's books. Lampard began his managerial career with Derby County in

In Their Own Story

On 31 January 1996, Frank Lampard made his West Ham debut as a substitute against Coventry City. The following season was marked by tragedy; on 15 March 1997, he suffered a broken leg during an away draw with Aston Villa, being carried off on a stretcher while Rio Ferdinand replaced him. Despite this setback, Lampard returned to become an ever-present force in 1998–99. In 2004–05, his performances peaked as he scored 13 Premier League goals and provided 18 assists, helping Chelsea secure their first league title in decades that season. A defining moment came in March 2005 when he netted a long-range goal from 30 yards against Crystal Palace in a 4–1 victory. Later that year, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year and finished runner-up for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year. His legacy includes being the only midfielder to score 150 or more Premier League goals and finishing fourth in the all-time assists ranking with 102.

Reader's Guide

Lampard began his career at West Ham United, his father's former club, joining the youth team in 1994. He went on loan to Second Division club Swansea City in October 1995, debuting in a 2–0 victory over Bradford City and scoring his first career goal against Brighton & Hove Albion. Lampard made his West Ham debut on 31 January 1996 against Coventry City. He made his first start on 17 August 1996. His season ended on 15 March 1997 when he sustained a broken leg during a 0–0 draw against Aston Villa. From the 1997–98 season he took the number 18 squad number. He scored his first West Ham goal on the first day of the 1997–98 season against Barnsley. He scored a hat-trick against Walsall in the League Cup on 19 November 1997. He was an ever-present in the 1998–99 season, helping West Ham to fifth place. Before the 1999–2000 season, he signed a contract extension until 2005. He scored his first European goal against Jokerit on 24 July 1999. He helped West Ham win the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup. In the 1999–2000 season he finished as the club's third top scorer with 14 goals. In the 2000–01 season he scored 9 goals in 37 games. He left West Ham for Chelsea for £11 million in June 2001. Lampard's Chelsea debut came on 19 August 2001 against Newcastle United. He appeared in all of Chelsea's league matches and scored eight goals in the 2001–02 season. He was Premier League Player of the Month in September 2003. He was named in the 2004 PFA Team of the Year and reached double figures in league goals (10) for the first time in 2003–04.

Did You Know?

• Lampard holds the record for the most Premier League goals by a midfielder, with 177.
• He is Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals in all competitions.
• Lampard was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2015.
• He is one of only 11 players to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League.
• Lampard is fourth in the Premier League's all-time assists ranking with 102 assists.