Frank Lampard to stay at Chelsea another season
Only hours after helping Chelsea with another European title, Frank Lampard was given a one-year contract extension by the Premier League club.
LONDON (AP) — Only hours after helping Chelsea with another European title, Frank Lampard was given a one-year contract extension by the Premier League club.
The 34-year-old Lampard, the club's all-time leading scorer, had initially been told he was not wanted beyond the end of the season. But Chelsea, which added the Europa League title to its Champions League win from last season, said Thursday that Lampard has signed a new deal.
"Everybody knows I always maintained the dream was to stay at Chelsea," Lampard said on Chelsea's website. "We've been talking for ages and even though it went on for quite a period it was always amicable.
"I love this club, the staff, the players and especially the supporters, who have treated me fantastically since the day I arrived."
On Wednesday, Lampard captained Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Benfica in the Europa League final.
The former West Ham player broke Chelsea's scoring record last weekend with two goals at Aston Villa to take his tally to 203 in 12 years, surpassing the record held by former striker Bobby Tambling.
"Frank has been an important player for Chelsea Football Club for a long time and has played a significant part in the club's success," Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said. "We have been talking to him since the end of last year and our discussions have been entirely positive throughout."