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Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect. The midfielder, who made 106 appearances and scored 29 goals for the Three Lions, made the announcement through a written statement released by his management agency.
He said, “'I have taken the decision to retire from international football. It has been a very tough decision for me to make which is why I have given it so much thought since the World Cup.
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“I have always bene exceptionally proud and honoured to represent my country and have to say looking back I have enjoyed every minute of wearing the England shirt. Due to my club career now going in a different direction it is of utmost importance for me to consider my family first.”
He added, "It is now the time to move forward and I feel very confident that, with Roy Hodgson in charge, the young players that we have coming through and the changes that are being made throughout the development of the youth system in this country, we will have success in the future and a team that this country deserves.
I would like to thank all the managers that I have worked under, all the players that I have been fortunate enough to play alongside, and all the England fans for their support, not only at home, but particularly on their travels with the team around the world. I now look forward to continuing to support the team as a fan and wish them every success for the upcoming campaign towards France 2016."
Lampard, who is now on loan at Manchester City, and will move to New York City FC in time for the new MLS season in 2015, was part of the golden generation of English football, but did not achieve any success with them in international competitions. He was part of the England squad consistently throughout his career, as he was selected for the Euros in 2004 and 2012, and was in the World Cup teams for 2006, 2010 and 2014.
His goal against Germany in the round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup was wrongly not awarded, despite the ball having crossed the line.
