Frank Lampard is set to sign with New York City FC on a free transfer deal. Atletico Madrid marksman David Villa will join him with the Major League Soccer club.
Lampard’s move to the Bronx would mark the end of his long London career, which started when he joined West Ham United as a teenager and took a turn toward stardom with an Ł11 million move to Chelsea in 2001.
With Chelsea, the midfielder became the club’s record scorer with 211 goals and its anchor through a highly successful 13 seasons, winning three Premier League crowns, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League.
He is a three-time Chelsea Player of the Year and one of only seven players (and the only midfielder) to register 150 Premier League goals.
The 35-year-old Lampard and the 32-year-old David Villa completed their deals with NYCFC at Manchester City’s Carrington complex on Sunday. The Premier League champions co-own the MLS club in partnership with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.
NYCFC will be MLS’s latest expansion franchise and is set to debut in the league next season, which doesn’t kick off until March. This means that there remains a chance Lampard could be loaned back to a Premier League team next season, though if this were to happen it would likely be to club owners Manchester City.
With Lampard and Villa entering the later stages of their careers, a move to America is not without precedent. The two will serve as marketable veteran stars in MLS just as David Beckham and Thierry Henry did before them.
Lampard’s deal is reported to have a basic wage significantly lower than the £150,000-per-week he made with Chelsea, but the contract will be made favorable by numerous perks and bonuses.
The Chelsea legend could not agree to a 12-month extension at Stamford Bridge after an on-and-off season under Jose Mourinho. The MLS level of competition is notably lower than that of the Premier League, so Lampard will have an opportunity to play big minutes and will likely put up impressive numbers.
With Ashley Cole leaving this summer and Lampard now reportedly gone, Chelsea is entering into an entirely new generation of players from those that ushered in its recent period of success. Jose Mourinho gave his young stars many chances to mature with playing time last season, often favoring them over his veterans. Now with an impressive summer spending budget, it appears Chelsea’s new generation will be well geared to emulate the success of its preceding one.
Still, Lampard’s departure will leave a hole in the heart of Chelsea’s devoted fan base. His legendary status was well earned and the success he found in London historical. His importance to the club will not be forgotten.
