In October 1995, he was loaned to Division Two team Swansea City. He made his league debut in the colours of Swansea City on 7 October, 1995 in a match against Bradford City that Swansea won 2-0. He made a total nine league appearances for Swansea, and another two in Cup competitions, scoring one goal, before returning to West Ham in January, 1996. Lampard's debut for West Ham came on January 31, 1996 against Coventry City F.C., but he did not become a team regular that season. He then broke his right leg in a game against Aston Villa on March 15, 1997, which ended his season. Lampard's first goal for West Ham came in the 1997-98 season, in an away win against Barnsley. Lampard was a regular in the West Ham youth team and captained his side to the final of the FA Youth Cup in 1996.
The 1998-99 season was a prolific one for young Lampard. He became a regular in the West Ham first team, not missing a single game throughout the season as the club finished fifth in the Premiership standings.
Lampard was a fixture in the West Ham first team, making 187 appearances and scoring a total 39 goals in all competitions in his 6 years at the club. But this regularity in appearance was not appreciated by everyone at the club. Lampard's father, Frank Lampard Sr, was the first team coach and there were accusations of nepotism.
Lampard had formed the core of a successful West Ham team along with players like Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand. But after Ferdinand, a close friend of Lampard's, was sold to Leeds United in the 2000-01 season, and his father, and uncle Harry Redknapp left West Ham, Frank decided to leave as well. Despite reported interest from Aston Villa, Lampard chose to remain in London by joining Chelsea.
Lampard signed for Chelsea on May 15, 2001 for £11 million, one of the first signings of then Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. Lampard's improvement at Stamford Bridge has been slow but spectacular. His first two seasons were sometimes bogged down by his massive transfer fee and later eclipsed by the scintillating form of Gianfranco Zola, but in his third season there, with the arrival of Roman Abramovich, he fully blossomed, establishing himself as a regular of the multi-million pound Chelsea squad, and a fans' favourite.
Lampard made his debut for Chelsea in a pre-season game against Leyton Orient on July 26, 2001, and scored his first goal for the club in another pre-season match, against Northampton Town, a 7-1 away victory, on August 1, 2001. His Premiership debut for Chelsea came on August 19, 2001, in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Despite being sent off in only his fourth Premiership game for Chelsea, against Tottenham Hotspur on September 16, 2001, the only dismissal of his career, he had a fruitful first season, missing only one match and scoring seven goals in all competitions.
In the 2002-03 season for Chelsea, Lampard was at his regular best again, not missing a match throughout the campaign. He scored eight goals in all competitions as Chelsea finished fourth in the Premiership, giving Lampard the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in his career.
Lampard had an impressive start to the next season with his club, being selected as the Barclays Player of the Month in September 2003 and the PFA Fans' Player of the Month in October. Chelsea reached the semi-final of the Champions League before being eliminated by AS Monaco, with Lampard scoring four goals in fourteen games. They also finished second in the Premiership behind Arsenal.
The 2004-05 season was one of the most successful in Chelsea's history, and Lampard was at its centre. He played in all 38 of the club's Premiership matches, scoring thirteen goals, remarkable for a midfielder, helping Chelsea to win their first title for 50 years by a 12-point margin. He scored another four goals in the Champions League as Chelsea made the semi-finals for the second successive year. His two goals in six matches were also instrumental in his club's League Cup victory. So impressive was his form during the Champions League and league run that former Brazilian captain Carlos Alberto and Dutch footballer Johann Cruyff both referred to him as one of Europe's best midfielders. Lampard was voted English Footballer of the Year and earned the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 2005.
Despite being a midfielder, Lampard has an impressive scoring ratio since signing for Chelsea, and a keen eye for goal. His ability to time his runs into the box as well as his accuracy from long range have made him one of the most prolific midfielders in Europe. Lampard also has an impressive passing range, and contributes heavily to the Chelsea side through his goal assists. He is usually Chelsea's first choice penalty and free-kick taker as well. He is also second choice captain of the club, behind John Terry.
--Wikipedia
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