Friday 10 July 2015 22:41, UK
Frank Lampard says he is feeling right at home in New York as he prepares to make his Major League Soccer debut this weekend.
The former England, Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder trained alongside his New York City FC team-mates on Tuesday and is expected to feature against Toronto FC on Sunday.
The 37-year-old is feeling fit and happy, and is eager to help turn around the fortunes of a side who are struggling down in seventh place in the 10-team Eastern Conference.
Lampard agreed to join the MLS side last summer before spending last season with sister club Manchester City and does not envisage any problems fitting into his new side under head coach Jason Kreis.
He said: "It is an absolute pleasure to be here. The MLS has grown over the years, but it was an easy choice and a great challenge with this new project.
"The club has done brilliantly in the first six months of the season and I hope to help them continue with that.
"It was very comfortable for me straightaway. The quality of training was high. I knew that Jason's sessions are very sharp and it was great to train.
"I drove the car in the city the other day - which was interesting. I'm a city boy and I'm delighted to be here. I love the sounds.
"I'm blessed to live in a great city like this and play my football here. The only way to answer any question is on the pitch. I'm not interested in looking backwards at all. I'll do it all on the pitch.
"My fitness is good. It's a mini-preseason for me. I hope to get to peak fitness as quickly as possible."
Lampard is relishing the chance to play alongside two former rivals from the Champions League, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, with his new club.
Villa has scored eight goals for New York since February and ex-Juventus midfielder Pirlo was announced as the franchise's third designated player on Monday.
Lampard said: "I've been watching all the games. I know every player and how they play and it will be a pleasure to play with them every day. David and Andrea are at the top of the list. I'm a lucky man to be in the same squad as them.
"I think Pirlo is the best at getting his ball to dip and dive off the free kick. He can have the first one.
"The challenge is to come here and do the best I can, and win. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think I had a lot left in me."
