Swansea confirm January bid for retired Chelsea legend

Swansea manager Paul Clement has confirmed he offered Chelsea legend Frank Lampard a route back into the Premier League in January but talks did not get very far.

Lampard, 38, announced on Thursday his immediate retirement from professional football after a 22-year senior career after failing to receive an offer that could entice him back into the game.

The 38-year-old has been a free agent since being released by MLS franchise New York City FC and Clement, who worked with Lampard during his time as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager at Stamford Bridge between 2009 and 2011, revealed he failed in his attempts to sign the veteran midfielder during the January transfer window.

“We had a chat,” The Daily Mail quote the Swansea manager as saying. “I think he appreciated that I called him because of our relationship. “I am not saying it got close in any way, but we had a conversation.

“It did not go very far, but it would have been nice. It would have been good. His ability as a player we all know about. But he is also a very good leader and character and a fantastic professional.”

Lampard revealed last month he was still looking to prolong his playing career but was not interested in joining a club battling to avoid relegation at this stage in his career.

The former England international scored finishes his career having scored the goals from outside the penalty box in Premier League history (41).

For more stats on Frank Lampard, click here to visit his WhoScored player page