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When Frank Lampard signed for then-new MLS franchise New York City back in May 2014 alongside Spanish striking legend David Villa , Stateside soccer fans were predictably pretty excited.

"DUDE! That news is freakin' sweet!" we imagine they said. "Wow! The EPL's top midfield MVP for the past 10 seasons coming to NYC? Man, I'm psyched!" added another. Maybe.

Either way, the people were looking forward to it. Manchester City's first steps into world football domination, New York City was a new off-shoot part-owned by their parent company and expectations were high, particularly from their new fanbase.

Little did they know what the next two years would have in store with their $6million-a-year marquee signing, ending up with being touted by pundits as the worst MLS signing in history.

But how did we get to this point? Let's go back to the start and find out...

May 2014

As we've already mentioned, it's revealed exclusively by MirrorFootball back in May 2014 that Lampard agrees to quit London for the Big Apple and take up a Designated Player slot at new franchise New York City alongside David Villa. Everyone's happy, smiles all round.

July 2014

Super Frank is officially unveiled as a NYC FC player , and dons his kit for a youth team press event on the training pitch.

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(Image: Splash)

So far, so good.

August 2014

In a bid to maintain his fitness ahead of the MLS season start in March 2015, it's announced Lampard has joined NYC's sister club Manchester City on a six-month loan deal.

(Image: PA)

There's a few murmurs of confusion from New York fans, but all parties involved insist he'll move to America at the end of the loan deal.

January 2015

Impressed with his efforts at the Etihad, Manchester City offer to extend Lampard's loan deal until the end of the Premier League season, which he duly accepts. It means NYC begin their season in March without their headline signing, although their director of football, Claudio Reyna, admits he's not surprised by the news.

(Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)

"He is eager to get to New York once his commitment ends in England and will be available to play on arrival as a permanent member of the squad given he will come to us having played at the highest level," says Reyna.

However, rumours begin to emerge that Lampard never actually signed for NYC - thus making his "loan" to Man City a short-term permanent deal. The midfielder sought to put an end to the "lies and nonsense" regarding his future by claiming he signed a "commitment" to New York City - but their fans are not happy. Not happy AT ALL.

July 2015

A year on from actually signing for them, Frank finally begins training at NYC . "Thanks to all the lads for making me feel so welcome," he writes on Instagram. "I can't wait to get started with you all!"

In the same month, he hints at regretting extending his Manchester City loan to the end of the Premier League season - which overlaps the start of the MLS by a few months.

August 2015

After a series of frustrating injury setbacks, Lampard finally makes his NYC debut as a 69th-minute substitute in a 3-2 home defeat to Montreal at a sold-out Yankee Stadium.

Proving he's kept at least some fans on side, a hilarious Anchorman-inspired banner is unfurled in his support.

September 2015

Up and running on the matchday pitch at last, Lampard scores his first goal for his new club with a scuffed effort from the edge of the area in a 2-0 win over Toronto FC - wearing the captain's armband, no less.

He finishes the season having played in 10 games - scoring three goals - as NYC miss out on the MLS Cup play-offs.

2016

Fast forward to the here and now, and things aren't going great for Frank. More than two months into the MLS season passes before he makes first appearance, owing to a calf strain - and it does NOT go well.

His New York City FC side are embarrassed 7-0 at home to rivals New York Red Bulls and Lampard was jeered by his own fans. Oh dear.

And in even more ominous news for NYC fans, it was also announced in May that Lampard would be part of the BBC's Euro 2016 punditry team - with the month-long tournament taking place slap bang in the middle of the MLS season.

All this put together - misleading fans, not joining his new club for half a season, underperformance, multiple injuries and then missing another massive chunk of a new season to be a pundit - is why Stateside fans are not happy with their $6million-a-year Designated Player and voicing their discontent at "the worst signing in MLS history".

Can you blame them?

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