Lampard among British athletes honored by Queen Elizabeth II

LONDON (AP) Frank Lampard is heading to the United States with another title - this time from the queen.

The former Chelsea and England midfielder, who will join New York City in the MLS from July 1, was one of many past and present British sports stars and officials to be honored Friday in Queen Elizabeth II's birthday list.

Lampard was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to football, after playing 106 times for England and scoring a club-record 211 goals for Chelsea in 13 years.

''I am delighted to receive this huge honor,'' said the 36-year-old Lampard, who won the Premier League three times and the FA Cup four times with Chelsea. ''I feel very fortunate to have had such a long and fulfilling career in football.

''This is an extremely proud moment for myself and my family.''

Welsh rugby great Gareth Edwards received a knighthood for services to sport and charity. The scrumhalf played 53 times for Wales, winning three Grand Slams in the Five Nations, and 10 games for the British and Irish Lions in the 1960s and `70s.

''His reputation as a player is possibly unparalleled,'' Welsh Rugby Union president Dennis Gethin said, ''and since retiring from the game he has continued to be a powerful ambassador for rugby both in Wales and around the world.''

Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked England to the Rugby World Cup title in 2003 and retired last year, was already an OBE and has now been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

Boxer Carl Froch is a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and England cricketer James Anderson got an OBE, months after surpassing Ian Botham as the country's leading wicket-taker.

''I'm very proud of my recent achievements, and this just caps it off,'' Anderson said.