Liverpool have completed the signing of Southampton and England striker Rickie Lambert.
The 32-year-old a boyhood Liverpool fan and former Anfield trainee has returned to Merseyside for an undisclosed fee after five fine seasons on the English south coast.
Lambert has enjoyed a prolific rise through the divisions with Southampton, scoring 115 goals in 229 games since signing from Bristol Rovers in 2009.
He remained a pivotal figure in the top flight at St Mary s Stadium under managers Nigel Adkins and Mauricio Pochettino, helping them to a record Premier League points tally last season.
Speaking about his move, Lambert told Liverpool s official website of his disbelief at returning to Anfield.
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.
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 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.
Manager Brendan Rodgers – who recently signed a new long-term deal at Anfield – was thrilled with the capture, describing Lambert as one of the most accomplished players he has seen.
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, he commented.
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 number nine, 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.
Lambert s performances for Southampton have seen him earn international recognition with England, where he has scored two goals in four appearances.
He was named in Roy Hodgson s squad for the FIFA World Cup, which starts in Brazil later this month, and is currently in Miami preparing England s warm-up friendlies with Ecuador and Honduras ahead of their Group D opener with Italy on June 14.
Lambert s exit continues what looks like becoming a string of departures from St Mary s this close-season, with Pochettino already having left for Tottenham.
Southampton captain Adam Lallana is also expected to leave the club, with Liverpool reportedly in pole position to bring in the playmaker.