Lampard, Frank James (1978– )

English footballer. Despite playing in midfield, he has regularly been among the top goalscorers in the English Premier League. He progressed through the youth academy at West Ham United and made his first team debut in January 1996. In May 2001 he moved to Chelsea for £11 million and helped them win the 2004–05 league title, the club's first championship for 50 years, and the English League Cup. That season, Lampard was voted the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year and he came second to Ronaldinho in the running for both FIFA World Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year. The following season he helped Chelsea retain their league title. He made his international debut in October 1999 and he represented England in the 2004 European Championships, where he was named to the All Star squad for the tournament, and in the 2006 World Cup.

Career highlights

International appearances (1999– ) 61 (14 goals)

English League Championship 2005, 2006

English FA Cup 2007

English League Cup 2005, 2007

Awards

Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year 2005

He was the captain of the West Ham team that reached the final of the 1996 FA Youth Cup, but they lost to Liverpool. He holds the Premiership record for playing in consecutive league matches when he played 164 straight games between October 2001 and December 2005.

When he made his debut for West Ham, the coach of the team was his father, Frank, who also played for the club.