Frank Lampard signs new deal - to write children's books

Footballer Frank Lampard has finally signed a new deal - but unfortunately for Chelsea fans it is to write children's books.

The midfielder, who is out of contract at the west London club at the end of this season, is writing a series of books, called Frankie's Magic Football, for children aged five and over.

The books will follow the adventures of school boy Frankie, his football-loving friends, and pet dog Max.

Lampard said: "I first had the idea of Frankie and his Magic Football when reading stories to my own children. Sport and reading are two essentials for us at home, so I decided to make up my own football stories and adventures.

"The characters are loosely based on friends and team mates I've played with over the years. I am delighted that Little Brown liked the stories as much as my children and will be publishing the Frankie's Magic Football series."

Lampard is not the first footballer to write fiction - Arsenal star Theo Walcott has written a series of children's books and former England manager, Terry Venables, co-wrote a series of crime novels