Chelsea legend Frank Lampard retires

Feb. 2 (UPI) -- He was the greatest Chelsea player ever, according to some of his teammates.

On Thursday, Frank Lampard ended a brilliant soccer career at the age of 38.

"After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer," Lampard said in an Instagram post. "Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I'm immensely proud of the trophies I've won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals."

Lampard, also a midfielder for England, won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the 2011-2012 Champions League. He played for New York City in the MLS in 2016. Lampard began his career with West Ham United. He joined Chelsea in 2001, before leaving the club for Manchester City in 2014.

"I have many people to thank," Lampard wrote. "I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I'd also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs' fans."

Lampard scored 29 goals and had 106 caps for England. He scored 211 goals for the Blues, including 177 in Premier League.

"Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories," Lampard wrote. "I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn't have done it without them."

Praise flowed in from around the globe for Lampard, including some from Blues captain John Terry. Terry called Lampard the "greatest player in the history" of Chelsea.

"Looking forward, I'm grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens," Lampard wrote on Instagram.

Lampard owns the fourth-most goals and second-most assists in Premier League history.