Lambert seals £4m Liverpool switch

adamhigginsuk
Jun 2, 2014
6 min read

Living the dream: A delighted Lambert, who has always had an affiliation with the club, raises a Liverpool scarf in front of photographers at the club's Melwood training ground (Picture from Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL have completed the signing of Southampton striker Rickie Lambert for a £4 million fee, plus add-ons.

The Liverpool-born striker, who spent five years on the Anfield books as a youth player, has signed a two-year deal with the club he has supported since he was a boy.

Lambert is currently in Miami with England, preparing for friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras, ahead of the World Cup after being named in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad.

The 32-year-old completed a medical and agreed personal terms over the weekend before the move was confirmed on Monday.

"I can't believe it. I've loved this club all my life. I left here 17 years ago and I haven't stopped loving it since," he told Liverpool's official website.

"I have always dreamt of playing for Liverpool but I did kind of think the chance of playing for them had gone. I didn't think the chance would come.

"I've been trying to keep it as low-key as possible. Only telling close family. My mum and dad shed a few tears when I told them, my mum in particular.

"I know how big Liverpool are and it means everything to me but I know what is important. I know it's what I do on the pitch and the minutes I play. I know that's what matters and that’s what I'll be focused on."

Lambert was part of Liverpool's academy set-up for five years before being released as a 15-year-old in 1997.

He then spent 13 years in Leagues One and Two with Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport and Bristol Rovers before joining Southampton in 2009 when the Saints were a League One side under current Newcastle boss Alan Pardew.

Consecutive promotions to the Championship in 2011 and the Premier League in 2012 took him to the top-flight for the first time at the age of 30.

Lambert scored 117 times in 235 appearances since arriving on the south coast including 28 goals in 75 Premier League outings.

He netted in his final game for Saints on the last day of 2013-14 against Manchester United, one of 14 goals in 39 matches in all competitions last season.

A number of clubs declared an interest in securing the services of Lambert, who had two years left on his Southampton contract, but Liverpool was the only option he considered.

In an open letter to the Southampton fans, he said: "The people who support this club have been nothing short of amazing towards me and, when I look back in years to come, it will be the relationship I had with the fans here which will stand out the most.

"Southampton have allowed me to realise a lifelong ambition by joining Liverpool FC and taking my family home.

"The five-year plan when I arrived was to get this club from League One to the top half of the Premier League. Against all the odds we have achieved that.

"Now, under Katharina Liebherr’s leadership, the club has the chance for a new plan, a new chapter, and I wish them all the success in the world."

Lambert's arrival on Merseyside may come as a surprise after manager Brendan Rodgers had previously off-loaded Andy Carroll, who is also considered to be a target man.

But Rodgers feels Lambert is a different kind of player and is confident he can fit into the Reds' flexible system.

"I've seen Rickie Lambert over the years and he's one of those players that probably never got the recognition for what a really good footballer he is," the former Swansea boss said.

"It's only late on in his career - at 29, 30, 31 - that people are really starting to focus on his qualities. He was probably seen as the traditional big no.9, a British striker that is good in the air.

"But he’s one of the most accomplished footballers I've seen. It has been so refreshing that he’s got his call into the England team, and he certainly hasn’t let anyone down - he has been outstanding.

"Look at his touch, look at the level of his goals, the different types of goals he has scored over his career, and he's a specialist on penalties as well.

"I think he is a terrific footballer and any team he plays against, he's always a handful."

Lambert goes with the blessing of Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger, who said: "Rickie has been a shining light in Saints' growth and will forever remain an icon in the history of the club.

"He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Southampton and will always be welcome back at St Mary's."

Lambert, who has scored twice in four England appearances including a debut winner against Scotland, is in England’s squad for Brazil alongside new Liverpool team-mates Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and standby defender Jon Flanagan.

Southampton duo Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana are also in Hodgson's World Cup plans.

Lallana is also being pursued by Liverpool, who have lodged an improved bid of £25 million for the 25-year-old Saints captain.

RICKIE LAMBERT TIMELINE:

1982: Born February 16 in Liverpool.

1998: August - At the age of 16, Lambert begins his professional career by signing a deal with Blackpool.

2000: November - Released from the Seasiders by manager Steve McMahon.

2001: March - After being a free agent for four months, Lambert joins Third Division club Macclesfield.

November 17 - The forward scores his first two goals for the club in a 2-2 draw with Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup.

2002: April 26 - Lambert transfers from the Silkmen to Stockport after they accept a club record bid of £300,000.

2005: February 17 - After making nearly 100 appearances for the Hatters, Lambert leaves the relegation-threatened side for Rochdale.

2006: August 31 - Makes the move from Rochdale to Bristol Rovers for £200,000.

2007: February 27 - Scores against local rivals Bristol City to send Rovers through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, which they go on to lose to Doncaster Rovers in extra-time.

May 5 - Rovers make it into the League Two play-offs as they beat Hartlepool 2-1 with Lambert scoring the winning goal, and they go on to gain promotion beating Shrewsbury 3-1 in the final.

2009: April - Lambert is selected in the PFA's League One team of the year.

August 10 - Signs for Southampton for a fee of £1million.

August 11 - Scores on his Saints debut in a 2-0 League Cup win against Northampton.

2010: March 28 - Helps Southampton collect their first domestic trophy since 1976 by scoring a penalty in a 4-1 victory over Carlisle in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

April - Named in the PFA League One Team of the Year. Also handed the PFA Fans' Player of the Year award.

2011: May - Finishes the season with 31 goals, meaning that he is the top scorer in English football for the second season running. His form also helped the Saints finish second in League One, gaining promotion to the Championship as a result.

2012: March 13 - Wins the award for Championship player of the year.

April 28 - Secures a shot at Premier League football as Southampton achieve promotion with a final-day win against Coventry.

2013: March 21 - Signs a new contract to keep him at Southampton until the summer of 2016.

August 8 - Called up to the England squad by Roy Hodgson on the same day his daughter, Bella Rose, is born.

August 14 - Comes on as a substitute and nets the winner in a 3-2 defeat of Scotland at Wembley.

September 6 - Becomes the first England player to score in his first two internationals in 37 years after netting in 4-0 win over Moldova.

2014: May 12 - Named in England's 23-man World Cup squad.

June 2 - Joins Liverpool for undisclosed fee.