Frank Lampard says he will join NYCFC after EPL season

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard issued a statement attempting to clear up speculation about his move to Major League Soccer's New York City FC, saying

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard issued a statement attempting to clear up speculation about his move to Major League Soccer's New York City FC, saying there have been a "lot of lies and nonsense" concerning the loan.

Lampard claims he signed a "commitment" to play for New York City FC for two years starting on Jan. 1, 2015. 

The former Chelsea man's statement says he will start playing for NYCFC when Manchester City's season concludes. 

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“I want to make it completely clear about my situation as I have read a lot of lies and nonsense over the last few days,” Lampard said, according to the Guardian. "When released from Chelsea last year at the end of my contract I signed a commitment to play in NYCFC for two years starting Jan. 1, 2015."

The English Premier League said Thursday that there is no agreement in place between Manchester City and NYCFC.

NYCFC originally presented Lampard's agreement as a two-year contract signed in August 2014. Lampard was then supposedly loaned to Manchester City until January, but last week it was revealed that Lampard signed with City Football Group, not New York City FC specifically. 

On Dec. 31, Manchester City announced that Lampard's stay in England would be extended through the Premier League season. 

Manchester City clarified the terms of Lampard's contract Friday.

"The statement on the NYCFC website in July saying Lampard’s two-year contract took effect from Aug 1, 2014 was a mistake," Man City said, according to The Guardian. "[The] initial statement on City’s website that it was a loan was also an error."

"There was a head of terms commitment from Lampard to join NYCFC from Jan 1, 2015," the team added. "That was extended to the end of this season. Any contract with NYCFC will now take effect from July 1, 2015."

Lampard has five goals and one assist in 15 games this season for Manchester City, who are tied with Chelsea for first place in the Premier League.

- Scooby Axson