Frank Lampard

Frank James Lampard, Jr. (born June 20, 1978 in Romford, London) is an English football player currently at Chelsea and previously with West Ham United. He is a regular member of the England national team. He is an attacking midfielder who regularly contributes goals to his teams.

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He has several famous footballing relatives: his father, Frank Lampard Sr., was also an England international. His cousin is Jamie Redknapp, who has recently retired from football, and his uncle is Harry Redknapp, who is manager of Southampton. In August 2005 he became the father of a baby girl named Luna.

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Another product of West Ham United's youth system, Lampard rose through the ranks at Upton Park and spent a brief spell on loan at Swansea in 1995. He is a hardworking player with precise shooting and passing ability. In the 2000/01 season, Lampard reacted angrily to the news of a ?17 million deal that took Rio Ferdinand to Leeds United. Lampard and Ferdinand had been close friends during their time together at West Ham. Ferdinand's transfer to Leeds, followed by the departure of his father Frank, who followed Harry Redknapp out of Upton Park in May 2001, led to Lampard's exit from the club. In the summer of 2001, he was signed by then-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, for a fee of ?11.5 million.

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Lampard improved much during his time at Stamford Bridge. His first two seasons were sometimes bogged down by his massive transfer fees and later eclipsed by the scintillating form of Gianfranco Zola, but in his third season there, with the arrival of Roman Abramovich, he fully blossomed, establishing himself as a regular of the multi-million pound Chelsea squad, and a fans' favourite. An ever-present in Ranieri's squad, he was the only outfield player to feature in every league game of the 2003-04 season.

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Despite being a midfielder, Lampard has an impressive scoring ratio since he signed for Chelsea and a keen eye for goal. Although not a striker, his intelligent runs and long-range efforts at the edge of the box often result in accurate strikes at goals. Lampard also contributes just as much to the Chelsea side through his goal assists. He is usually Chelsea's first choice penalty and set-piece taker as well. He is also second choice captain of the club, behind John Terry.

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In the 2004-05 season, Lampard continued his outstanding form despite the change in coaching personnel. So impressive was his form during the Champions League and league run that former Brazilian captain Carlos Alberto and Johann Cruyff both referred to him as one of Europe's best midfielders. He was voted English Footballer of the Year at the end of the 2004-05 season, after contributing to winning the Premiership (first time for Chelsea after 50 years) and the League Cup, and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. In September 2005 he was selected as a member of the World XI at the FIFPro awards. The team was chosen by a vote of professional footballers in 40 countries.

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Lampard made his full England debut against Belgium in October 1999. Although he never featured in Sven-G?ran Eriksson's squad for the , his form in 2003-04 earned him a well-deserved call-up. He played for his country at , scoring three goals. With Paul Scholes's retirement from international football, Lampard finally became a fixture in Eriksson's squad. He was voted England Player of the Year for 2004 by the fans. Lampard has so far won 32 international caps for England and scored 8 international goals.

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June 20: June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining....

1978: 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar)....

Romford: Romford is a place in East London. It is the principal town of the London Borough of Havering and is 14.1 miles (22.7 km) east north-east of Charing Cross....

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