Frank Lampard sends message after retirement announcement made
Frank Lampard has sent a thankful message after a heartfelt retirement was confirmed by a former Derby County man.
Martyn Waghorn has announced his retirement, following a career that saw him play for the likes of Sunderland, Leicester, Rangers and Derby.
The English striker was signed by Lampard in 2018, and was the seventh signing of the former Chelsea midfielders reign at Derby.
Waghorn scored nine goals as Derby made it to the play-off final, before losing to Aston Villa 2-1 in heart-breaking fashion.
The former Rangers striker would write himself into Rams’ folklore, scoring a penalty on the final day of the 2020/21 season to save Derby from relegation.
Derby are currently set to appoint John Eustace from Blackburn, with the job considered an “amazing” opportunity for the manager, says Paul Merson.
Martyn Waghorn hangs up his boots with congratulations from Frank Lampard
Waghorn posted a compilation of his career highlights on Instagram, with one part of a long caption reading: “It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve been very fortunate to play for some great clubs in my career and never took that for granted
“Charlton, Leicester, Hull, Millwall, Wigan, Rangers, Ipswich, Derby, Coventry, Huddersfield and Northampton. I am proud to have worn the shirt of every one of these great clubs. Every time I stepped on the pitch all I wanted to do was make my family proud.
“There has been some amazing memories with friends and family that I will cherish forever.
Thank you to everyone at Sunderland for giving me the opportunity in the game. You believed in me from 7 years old until my debut at 17, thank you all.
“To represent my country at various age groups was always an honour and to also score on my England U21 debut was such a proud moment.”
Lampard then responded to his former striker by saying: “Congrats on a great career Waggy. Top player and top bloke.”
Derby County and Frank Lampard need a striker like Martyn Waghorn
Football Insider Verdict
The new boss at the Coventry Building Society Arena was expected to be busy in January, but Lampard ended up apologising for one of his Coventry transfers near the end of the transfer window.
Lampard decided against raiding his former club Chelsea, which was a surprise, given the success it gave him during his singular season in charge of Derby in the Championship.
The club’s top scorer this season is Haji Wright on seven goals, and while the Sky Blues are climbing the table under their new boss, goals have still been hard to come by.
A striker like Waghorn would not only be a blessing to Lampard right now, but also to his former team, Derby, who are treacherously poised above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Derby were interested in Tom Cursons in January, as they looked to solve their goal-scoring woes, but missed out on signing the striker.
The Rams are suffering from a similar goal-scoring deficiency, with Jerry Yates their top-scorer with seven goals in the league this season.