Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is excited joining MLS expansion franchise New York City FC. The midfielder becomes the fourth player to sign for New York City FC, the MLS' 20th expansion franchise, and the second major summer signing following the arrival of David Villa from Atletico Madrid.
Despite joining a new club in a still-emerging league, Lampard insisted the move was not a gamble.
"What professional move doesn't have risk with it?" Lampard said at a media conference in New York, streamed live on nycfc.com.
"It's not a risk. It's a challenge. I can be in the middle of that challenge.
"I want to make New York City a team that New Yorkers are proud of. And I will do my best to do that."
Lampard, who won every club trophy on offer with Chelsea, added: "Why not choose New York City? Talking about it ticking all the boxes, personally for me this does exactly the same.
"It's a very exciting challenge for me in life terms.
"I've seen the vision, a real long-term plan and I wanted to be part of that. I want to test myself, I want to carry on challenging myself, I want to be that leader, and not just on the pitch, but someone off the pitch.
"I had a fantastic 13 years at Chelsea, I can look back at that with immense pride.
"(But) it was a good time for myself and Chelsea that I moved on."
