£11M LAMPARD UNVEILED BY CHELSEA

The England international flew back from his summer holiday to hold talks with Claudio Ranieri's side, and agreed a five year deal with The Blues.

The Hammers, who have appointed Glenn Roeder as their new manager, accepted an £11 million bid from The Blues after earlier rejecting an inferior offer from Aston Villa.

Lampard, who will be 23 next week, wanted to leave Upton Park after his father, Frank snr, and Harry Redknapp - his uncle - left the East London club last month.

West Ham were happy to agree to his wishes and will hand Roeder the cash as part of a £15 million transfer fund, with which to do their own spending this summer.

"I have been totally impressed with what I have heard and seen," revealed Lampard. "And they have sold the club to me, to be honest.

"I've had other options and offers. It was flattering, they were very good offers, but, since I've been in talks with Chelsea, I've liked what I have seen, and I am delighted.

"I'd just like to improve here. It is a big club, the sort I've always wanted to play for at some stage.

"I'm a goalscoring midfielder and want to improve my game and maybe push into the England set-up.

"I'll always thank West Ham for setting me on my way but I'm looking forward to life with Chelsea as I am ambitious.

"Everyone knows how I felt at the time (Harry Redknapp and Frank Lampard snr left), but I am looking forward to playing for a big club, to play in Europe has always been my ambition from day one.

"My times at West Ham, I am grateful for, as they gave me a chance, but I can take my game on from here and win a lot of medals.

"I think West Ham are a big club, they've performed well recently," he added. "But I want to talk about Chelsea.

"Hopefully, we can challenge for medals and be a successful team. I have the chance to work with a coach who can do better things with my game and give me a different outlook on my play.

"From speaking to the manager, I liked him tactically and how he sees me fitting in.

"Hopefully, I can move on to another level. I have been pondering this for a while - the thing that forced my hand was speaking yesterday and seeing the set-up here. Its a massive club and it made my mind up.

"It is flattering they want me to be part of their future and I want to be part of it. It is my ambition to test myself against the best in Europe. I want to play in Europe and I can do that here.

"I'm not concerned at all about whatever nationality the players are here. They are all top class and you can only learn from playing with them. It will be a great honour.

"London was one thing on my mind but I wanted to go to a club that could fulfil my ambitions."

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson did say he believed Aston Villa and Leeds United were also in the hunt for Lampard's signature, but the player himself did not want to discuss the other offers he received.

Click here to see Lampard being unveiled at his press conference.