MANCHESTER:  Premier champions Manchester City have confirmed signing former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard on loan from New York City. Lampard left Chelsea this summer on the expiry of his contract after 13 years at Stamford Bridge, his 211 goals in 649 matches making him the club’s record scorer.

Last month, on returning from the World Cup, the 36-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Major League Soccer club whose franchise owned jointly by City and baseball giants New York Yankees. The MLS season does not start until next March.

The loan deal will run until mid-January, and City plan to register the England international for both their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

City won their second Premier League title in three years last season, with Chelsea finishing third. The two sides meet in Manchester September 21.

Lampard won the Premier League title three times and the Champions League and Europa League once apiece at Chelsea as well as helping them win four FA Cups and the League Cup twice.

On signing for New York City, Lampard said: “New York ticks all the right boxes for me. It’s very exciting.”

Former Spain striker David Villa, 32, has also joined the MLS franchise, and will spend three months on loan to Melbourne FC, City’s Australian partner club.

City chief executive Ferran Soriano said: “One of the reasons David Villa and Frank Lampard decided to come to New York is because they know who manages and who owns the club.”

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