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Agent confirms Lampard's Chelsea exit

Frank Lampard's future appears to be away from Stamford Bridge © PA Photos

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Frank Lampard will leave Chelsea at the end of the season, his agent Steve Kutner has confirmed.

Just days after Kutner moved to insist he had not given an interview to the Italian media stating his client Lampard would be leaving Chelsea, fresh comments have emerged that appear to confirm the imminent departure of the 34-year-old midfielder.

"Chelsea executives told Frank in Japan during the Club World Cup then again reconfirmed with me after the Everton victory (last month) that in no circumstances will he be offered a new contract to stay at the club after the end of this season," said Kutner in several British newspapers.

"Nothing since has changed in any respect. Frank has had to accept that and just wants to carry on playing football for Chelsea so as to finish the season as successfully as possible for the club that he loves."

Lampard admitted he was moved by the reaction of the Chelsea fans after he scored a goal in the FA Cup third round tie against Southampton on Saturday that drew him level with Blues legend Kerry Dixon in the club's all-time goal scoring charts, but it seems as if scoring celebrations in his famous No.8 shirt will soon come to an end.

Chelsea supporters have been calling for Lampard to be handed a new contract, but these latest developments seem to end his hopes of extending his Stamford Bridge contract.

"Maybe I was a little bit emotional but the fans have been with me all the time I've been here," stated Lampard. "They've supported me throughout my career here, particularly in recent weeks. The way they were with me in all the time and I just wanted to say thanks."

Blues skipper John Terry pre-empted this news by claiming on his Instagram that he was 'devastated' by the club's refusal to hand Lampard a contract, in a move that appeared to rile Stamford Bridge officials.

However, the countdown to the end of a glorious Chelsea career for Lampard that has reaped ten major trophies can now begin in earnest, with his final game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday May 19th against Everton set to be an emotional occasion.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.