Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and Atletico Madrid forward David Villa agree intriguing free transfer switches.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and Atletico Madrid striker David Villa have both agreed transfers to newly formed Major League Soccer club New York City FC, according to the Daily Mirror.
Lampard, who is the Blues’ all time record scorer with 211 goals, is out of contract on June 30th and has reportedly been unable to come to an agreement to stay at Stamford Bridge – like his colleague Ashley Cole, but unlike John Terry, who has signed for a further year in west London.
The England international, who will be part of Roy Hodgson’s squad for this summer’s 2014 FIFA World Cup, was not used regularly by Jose Mourinho last term, starting just 20 Premier League games, but still managed 40 appearances in all competitions.
Despite being set to turn 36 on June 20th, Lampard has always kept himself in shape, and ought to have a good couple of years left in his playing career.
David Villa is younger, at 32, and not only played in 36 of Atletico Madrid’s games in La Liga, but also started the UEFA Champions League final earlier this month.
He scored 13 goals in La Liga in a support role to Diego Costa, supplying four assists.
As Spain’s record goalscorer with 56 goals for his country, he is unsurprisingly a deadly finisher, and will likely prosper in the more open MLS.
Both players are set to join NYCFC ahead of next season, which starts in March 2015.
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