LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena admits they worked hard to sign Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard announced in January that he would be leaving Anfield to sign for MLS champions LA Galaxy, but the California franchise almost signed his former midfield partner Lampard when he left Chelsea last summer.

“We recruited Frank pretty hard here," Arena told the Mirror.

“The deal was close."

After a season with Manchester City, Lampard will join expansion club New York City this summer.

"We talk to pretty much every single player that is interested in coming to the US and certainly when you hear Frank Lampard is willing, you're gonna have a lengthy conversation," added Arena.

“I got to know Frank and visited him in London and he's a fabulous person and player and he's really going to help football here in America. He's going to do really well."