Frank Lampard will carry on playing for Manchester City throughout the Premier League season, the English champions announced on Wednesday.
“Manchester City can confirm that it has extended Frank Lampard’s contract up to the end of Manchester City’s season, enabling his continued participation in both domestic and European campaigns,” the club said in a statement on its Web site.
Lampard was available to face Sunderland in a league match at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.
Photo: AFP
The 36-year-old former England and Chelsea midfielder was on a short-term deal which was due to expire on New Year’s Day, when he would officially become a player of Major League Soccer team New York City — a sister club of Manchester City.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini had made no secret of his desire to keep Lampard, who has scored six goals in 17 appearances for the club, although he has only started three league games.
The most important of Lampard’s goals so far came against former club Chelsea in a 1-1 draw.
Lampard’s stay has added value with Yaya Toure set to go to the Africa Cup of Nations this month, while City are also light on proven scorers, with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko both out injured.
Lampard joined City in August, ostensibly to maintain fitness ahead of this year’s Major League Soccer season, which begins in March.
Halfway through the Premier League season, which ends on May 24, City are in second position — three points behind Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
City will also look to gain from Lampard’s European experience. The Londoner captained Chelsea when they won the 2011-2012 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
City are through to the knockout stage of the Champions League for the second straight year and play Barcelona on Feb. 24 at home in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie.
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