Lampard’s Stay With Man City Extended

The deal that brought Frank Lampard to Manchester City has now been extended until the end of the Premier League season.

Lampard, 36, was released by Chelsea last June before joining Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC but then arrived at the Etihad Stadium on an original short-term deal.

The ex-England international’s contract with the Premier League champions was due to expire at midnight on 31 December but he is now set to miss the first three months of New York’s maiden MLS campaign.

Lampard has scored six goals in 17 appearances for City this season. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are back in action against Sunderland on Thursday.

New York fans are “outraged” by his decision, which they have “publicly denounced.”

Independent fan group the Third Rail, in a statement, said: “Many fans, including our members, decided to support the team, committed to season tickets, and bought merchandise under the impression that Frank Lampard would be playing for New York City Football Club, not Manchester City.

“Many of those fans are rightly outraged by this decision, and we support any course of action they take to voice their discontent over this decision.”

Manchester City and baseball giants the New York Yankees are joint-owners of the MLS franchise. Lampard’s new starting date in the US will be confirmed “as the Premier League and MLS seasons unfold,” New York said in a statement.