Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
NYCFC Signs Chelsea Legend (And 9/11 Mocker) Frank Lampard
By
Dan Dickinson
Published Jul 24, 2014
Modified Jul 24, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
via NYCFC.com
By
Dan Dickinson
Published Jul 24, 2014
Modified Jul 24, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Still half a year from taking the field, the new Major League Soccer team NYCFC has added a second big name to their roster to join David Villa. Frank Lampard was unveiled as the club's newest signing this morning, bringing the Chelsea FC legend to New York. If only he didn't have that unfortunate 9/11 baggage!
After coming through the youth system and going pro at West Ham United, Lampard joined Chelsea FC in 2001 and became eternally linked with its rise to becoming a "super club". He's won it all: three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, and one Europa League Championship. He holds the club's all-time scoring record with 211 goals, and also has 106 caps for the English national team.
In a statement released by the club, Lampard hit the usual pleasantries for any sports signing: "I am really excited about joining New York City FC and helping to play a real part in building something special in one of the sporting capitals of the world. The passion of the nation’s fans at the World Cup was second to none and I am looking forward to meeting New Yorkers and tapping into their love of the game. It is a privilege to be able to help make history here in New York City—I just can’t wait to get started and be part of it."
Head coach Jason Kreis was also pleased: "I am really looking forward to working with Frank. His leadership, maturity and experience are perfect characteristics for a new Club like ours. He is a rare talent, one that scores a lot of goals from midfield, yet is also a disciplined defender and someone who reads the game brilliantly. A gift for a coach."
Lampard's move to NYCFC is getting extra scrutiny not because of his age (he's 36) or his salary (rumored to be around $8 million a year, extremely high for MLS), but because of 9/11! Famously, Frank's only bit of truly bad behavior came on September 12th, 2001, where he and other Chelsea players were seen drunkenly harassing grieving American tourists at a Heathrow airport hotel. Lampard reportedly stripped naked, swore at the tourists, and vomited during the incident—so he's basically a shoo-in to lead SantaCon this year. At the time, he was fined two weeks wages by Chelsea.
Lampard is the fourth player on the NYCFC roster, joining David Villa, MLS journeyman Jeb Brovsky, and former LA Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders.
Tagged
9/11
chelsea fc
frank lampard
mls
nycfc
soccer
Dan Dickinson
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 16, 2026
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .