Chelsea record goalscorer Frank Lampard leaves Stamford Bridge to sign for new club alongside Atletico Madrid man David Villa.
Chelsea central midfielder Frank Lampard has left the club at the end of his contract to sign for New York City FC, according to the Daily Mirror.
The American club will play their debut Major League Soccer season in March 2015, and the veteran Englishman, who turns 36 years of age on June 20th, will be one of two marquee signings – Atletico Madrid striker David Villa the other.
Both men are record goalscorers – no player has managed more for Chelsea than Lampard’s 211, while Villa is the highest scorer in Spanish national team history with 56 goals for his country.
Lampard was used sporadically by Stamford Bridge manager Jose Mourinho last season, with the Portuguese boss tending to prefer younger legs for his preferred high intensity style.
In contrast, Villa has played 36 of 38 La Liga games for Atletico Madrid, starting 32 of them, and was the Spanish champions’ second highest goalscorer.
He also started the UEFA Champions League final, and is still in peak condition.
Regardless of their respective situations, both players are heading to this summer’s 2014 FIFA World Cup – making each a major coup for New York City FC.