Chelsea have appointed Frank Lampard as their new manager as the club legend makes a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard, the club's all-time top goalscorer, has signed a three-year deal to succeed Maurizio Sarri.

The 41-year-old had been the frontrunner for the job since it became clear Sarri would return to Italy after just one year to take over at Juventus, despite having just one year as a manager under his belt.

In a statement released by the club, Lampard said he was 'immensely proud' to return to Chelsea as head coach.

"Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead. I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started."

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia (above) added: "Frank possesses fantastic knowledge and understanding of the club and last season, he demonstrated he is one of the most talented young coaches in the game.

In Pictures | Frank Lampard at Chelsea 26 show all In Pictures | Frank Lampard at Chelsea 1/26 Chelsea's newly-appointed head coach Frank Lampard poses for the press AFP/Getty Images 2/26 Lampard holds the new Chelsea home shirt as he poses for a photograph AFP/Getty Images 3/26 Lampard gives the thumbs up on his first day back at the club AFP/Getty Images 4/26 Lampard returns to Chelsea after just one season in charge at Derby AFP/Getty Images 5/26 Lampard acknowledges the crowd after his final Chelsea appearance against Norwich in May, 2014 Getty Images 6/26 A Chelsea fan shows her support for Lampard during his final game for the club Getty Images 7/26 Lampard joined the Blues from London rivals West Ham in an £11m deal in 2001 Getty Images 8/26 Lampard answers questions at his introductory Chelsea press conference Getty Images 9/26 Lampard celebrates after winning the Carling Cup in Cardiff in 2005 Getty Images 10/26 Lampard scored a brace at Bolton in 2005 as Chelsea won their first title for 50 years AFP/Getty Images 11/26 Lampard with Petr Cech, Jose Mourinho and John Terry after the 2004/05 title triumph AFP/Getty Images 12/26 Lampard with Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o after his second-placed Ballon d'Or finish Getty Images 13/26 Lampard and Terry jointly carry the Community Shield after victory over Arsenal Getty Images 14/26 Lampard holds his arms aloft after Chelsea clinch a second successive title in 2006 Getty Images 15/26 Lampard hoists the League Cup trophy above his head after beating Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium in 2007 Getty Images 16/26 Lampard leads the celebrations after Chelsea also add the FA Cup at the first final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium Getty Images 17/26 Lampard scores the decisive goal as Chelsea recover from an early setback against Everton to win the FA Cup again in 2009 AFP/Getty Images 18/26 Lampard is the central part of the third Premier League title win of his career in 2010 Getty Images 19/26 Lampard rejoices with Didier Drogba after Chelsea also lift the FA Cup under Carlo Ancelotti in 2010 AFP/Getty Images 20/26 Lampard aboard Chelsea's double-winning trophy parade bus after the 2009/10 season AFP/Getty Images 21/26 Lampard celebrates with fans after winning the FA Cup for the fourth and final time in 2012 Getty Images 22/26 Two weeks later, Lampard nets past Manuel Neuer in a Champions League final shootout Getty Images 23/26 Lampard cannot contain his glee after Chelsea finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy Getty Images 24/26 Lampard holds up the Champions League trophy during the team's parade in the streets of west London AFP/Getty Images 25/26 Lampard notches a brace at Aston Villa in May 2013 to surpass Bobby Tambling as Chelsea's all-time leading scorer Getty Images 26/26 Lampard's final Chelsea trophy triumph came in the Europa League final in Amsterdam in 2013 Getty Images 1/26 Chelsea's newly-appointed head coach Frank Lampard poses for the press AFP/Getty Images 2/26 Lampard holds the new Chelsea home shirt as he poses for a photograph AFP/Getty Images 3/26 Lampard gives the thumbs up on his first day back at the club AFP/Getty Images 4/26 Lampard returns to Chelsea after just one season in charge at Derby AFP/Getty Images 5/26 Lampard acknowledges the crowd after his final Chelsea appearance against Norwich in May, 2014 Getty Images 6/26 A Chelsea fan shows her support for Lampard during his final game for the club Getty Images 7/26 Lampard joined the Blues from London rivals West Ham in an £11m deal in 2001 Getty Images 8/26 Lampard answers questions at his introductory Chelsea press conference Getty Images 9/26 Lampard celebrates after winning the Carling Cup in Cardiff in 2005 Getty Images 10/26 Lampard scored a brace at Bolton in 2005 as Chelsea won their first title for 50 years AFP/Getty Images 11/26 Lampard with Petr Cech, Jose Mourinho and John Terry after the 2004/05 title triumph AFP/Getty Images 12/26 Lampard with Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o after his second-placed Ballon d'Or finish Getty Images 13/26 Lampard and Terry jointly carry the Community Shield after victory over Arsenal Getty Images 14/26 Lampard holds his arms aloft after Chelsea clinch a second successive title in 2006 Getty Images 15/26 Lampard hoists the League Cup trophy above his head after beating Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium in 2007 Getty Images 16/26 Lampard leads the celebrations after Chelsea also add the FA Cup at the first final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium Getty Images 17/26 Lampard scores the decisive goal as Chelsea recover from an early setback against Everton to win the FA Cup again in 2009 AFP/Getty Images 18/26 Lampard is the central part of the third Premier League title win of his career in 2010 Getty Images 19/26 Lampard rejoices with Didier Drogba after Chelsea also lift the FA Cup under Carlo Ancelotti in 2010 AFP/Getty Images 20/26 Lampard aboard Chelsea's double-winning trophy parade bus after the 2009/10 season AFP/Getty Images 21/26 Lampard celebrates with fans after winning the FA Cup for the fourth and final time in 2012 Getty Images 22/26 Two weeks later, Lampard nets past Manuel Neuer in a Champions League final shootout Getty Images 23/26 Lampard cannot contain his glee after Chelsea finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy Getty Images 24/26 Lampard holds up the Champions League trophy during the team's parade in the streets of west London AFP/Getty Images 25/26 Lampard notches a brace at Aston Villa in May 2013 to surpass Bobby Tambling as Chelsea's all-time leading scorer Getty Images 26/26 Lampard's final Chelsea trophy triumph came in the Europa League final in Amsterdam in 2013 Getty Images

"After 13 years with us as a player, where he became a club legend and our record goalscorer, we believe this is the perfect time for him to return and are delighted he has done so. We will do everything we can to ensure he has all the support required to be a huge success."

I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started" Frank Lampard

Lampard guided Derby County to a sixth-place finish, and subsequently the play-off final, which matched Gary Rowett's final campaign in charge with one fewer point one.

A formal approach to Derby was made in late June, though Standard Sport understands talks had been held with Lampard on more than one occasion beforehand.

Chelsea have paid the Championship club £4million in compensation, with coaching staff Jody Morris, Chris Jones and Shay Given also following Lampard to west London.

Lampard’s appointment comes after his former team-mate Petr Cech was confirmed as the club’s new technical and performance advisor following his retirement from football, while Claude Makelele (below) is expected to join the coaching staff.

The former England international made 640 appearances for Chelsea during his 13 years at the club, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Europa League.

Lampard offered his thanks to Derby owner Mel Morris, the players, staff and fans in a post on his Instagram page.

"I would like to say a special thank you to Mel Morris, players, staff and everyone who is associated with Derby County Football Club. It has been a fantastic experience for me and I feel privileged to have managed such a prestigious club. Most of all, I want to thank the fans who supported me and the team from the day I arrived in the City. I wish everyone the best of luck going forward."

Lampard's first two competitive matches in charge will be the Premier League opener away to Manchester United on August 11, and the Uefa Super Cup Final clash with the Liverpool in Instanbul three days later.