New York City FC officially signs Frank Lampard to 2-year contract

New York City FC are still a year away from playing their first match, but that hasn't stopped them from making quite a splash in the transfer market.

After making Spaniard David Villa the first player in club history earlier this summer, the team announced another significant signing on Thursday, finally putting an official stamp on Frank Lampard's move to the Bronx.

The English midfielder, 36, joins the club on a free transfer after Chelsea opted not to renew his contract at the end of last season.

Lampard, Chelsea's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals over 13 incredible seasons with the Blues, joins the American side as a Designated Player. Along with Villa, manager Jason Kreis now has four players under contract ahead of their 2015 expansion season, with defender Jeb Brovsky and goalkeeper Josh Saunders also on the roster.

During his introductory press conference, Lampard said he is looking forward to the challenge of playing in a new league, and hopes to establish himself with the team in the same way that he did during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard, who signed a two-year contract with the club that will reportedly pay him something in the realm of $150,000 per week, was full of praise for his former club Chelsea during the press conference, saying that he will always have a place in his heart for the Blues.

They must have been listening.