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Man City's Manuel Pellegrini happy that Frank Lampard saga is settled

Manuel Pellegrini wants a line to be drawn under the Frank Lampard contract saga.

City Football Group, the parent company of Manchester City, on Friday admitted making mistakes in the way the former Chelsea midfielder's move to the Etihad Stadium was initially reported last summer.

Confusion reigned this week after Manchester City extended Lampard's time with the Premier League champions from January until the end of the season. NYCFC had originally reported Lampard was signed with the MLS club and only loan at the Etihad.

But it was revealed that Lampard had only agreed to join NYCFC in the summer of 2015, while signing in 2014 with Manchester City on a short-term deal.

Quoted in the Guardian, CFG said: "The statement on the NYCFC website in July saying Lampard's two-year contract took effect from Aug 1, 2014 was a mistake. [The] initial statement on City's website that it was a loan was also an error.

"There was a head of terms commitment from Lampard to join NYCFC from Jan. 1, 2015. That was extended to the end of this season. Any contract with NYCFC will now take effect from July 1, 2015."

City boss Pellegrini said he's just glad the contract saga is over.

"I think it's an issue which is finished. Frank now is here," Pellegrini said. "I know that there a lot of different opinions about Frank, about that. I respect all of them, but the decision is taken already and Frank will stay here until the end of the season."

Lampard released a statement via Steve Kutner Management on Friday morning seeking to clarify the situation, although clarity is one thing sorely lacking.

"I want to make it completely clear about my situation as I have read a lot of lies and nonsense over the last few days," the 36-year-old said.

"When released from Chelsea last year at the end of my contract I signed a commitment to play for NYCFC for two years starting January 1, 2015. I was then offered the chance to train and be part of the Man City squad in the interim to keep myself in the best shape going into New York.

"This period has since been extended by Man City and I will now start playing for NYCFC at the end of this current Premier League season.

"There has always been a constant dialogue between all parties in this time to find the best solution for everyone. I can say that I am very excited about arriving in New York and giving everything to the team to make us a success in the MLS as soon as possible."

Pellegrini, meanwhile, did not rule out trying to hold onto Lampard beyond the end of the season.

The Chilean said: "I think Frank is doing very well with us and I am happy with him as part of the squad. Not only on the pitch but off the pitch, as a professional, as a leader, which is always good for young players, to see him working here.

"But at the end of the season, he finishes his contract here. I cannot say what will happen in the future. If I say I cannot say, you will suppose that maybe he will stay here."

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