Bergkamp, Keane, Lampard inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame

THREE more legends, Dennis Bergkamp, Roy Keane and Frank Lampard, have been added to the Premier League Hall of Fame.

Dutchman Bergkamp was the latest player to be named on Wednesday, joining ex-Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry as well as Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona, Keane and Lampard in receiving the League’s highest individual honour.

“It feels special to be part of a small group of players who got the recognition of playing in the strongest league in the world,” Bergkamp told the Premier League website.

He arrived at Arsenal in 199 from Inter Milan and was hailed as the catalyst for a transformation of the Premier League, with his technical ability attracating other stars from overseas.

“I’m extremely proud if people say that I was one of the first foreign players who added something to the English game,” said Bergkamp.

“The Premier League most definitely made me a better player. From the moment I arrived in England I’ve embraced the English mentality and passion for football, it suited me and my style of play.

“Playing every game against good and tough opponents meant I improved all the time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Midfielder Keane, on his part, was a dominant figure for Manchester United, helping Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to seven Premier League titles during his 12 seasons at the club.

“I feel very lucky to be inducted but I’ve only been inducted because of the players I’ve played with,” the Irishman said.

“Signing for Manchester United and walking into a brilliant dressing room [was the highlight of my career],” Keane said of his move from Nottingham Forest for a British-record fee in the summer of 1993.

Lampard is a three-time Premier League champion with the Chelsea and scored 177 goals during his time at West Ham United, Chelsea and Manchester City, the most by any midfielder in the competition’s history.

“As a young lad I remember just wanting to make it in to the West Ham team, and looking up to players like Roy Keane, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry so to be mentioned in the same bracket as them is a real honour,” Lampard said.

“I am very proud and thankful for the recognition.

“The key for me was practice and hard work. I had a talent for arriving and scoring goals. I had done it in all the teams that I played for but to score consistently over that period in the Premier League was mostly down to my hard work and dedication to constantly improve.”