Frank Lampard has paid tribute to Fabian Delph after the former Everton player announced his retirement from professional football this week. Delph, 32, joined Everton from Manchester City for £8.5million in 2019 but his three years on Merseyside were blighted by injury problems.
The Bradford-born midfielder, who also turned out for Leeds United and Aston Villa, was capped 20 times by England and won a brace of Premier League titles during his spell at the Etihad Stadium. Delph, who played 20 games in his first season with the Blues but just 10 and 11 in his two subsequent campaigns, became a free agent when his contract at Goodison Park expired at the end of June and took to social media to announce his decision to hang up his boots on Tuesday.
He said: “So today I announce my retirement with nothing but happiness and gratitude for what this beautiful game has given me. Massive shout out to my family, friends, players and staff from the amazing clubs I have been fortunate enough to represent as well as the support I have had from the fans.”
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Asked in his pre-match press conference for Everton’s trip to Southampton whether he was surprised by Delph’s decision, Lampard said: “No. I had a good relationship with Delphy and I spoke with him at the back end of last season and I knew it was on the cards.
“I just want to congratulate him on a great career, because I think he had a really positive career. I played against him, he played for his country a good few times and he was a big part of us staying in the league last year in that cameo of a few games that he played and I wish him well in the choices he makes going forward.”
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