Liverpool have this afternoon confirmed the signing of England striker Rickie Lambert from fellow English Premier League side Southampton after passing a medical.

Lambert, who was a trainee with Liverpool 15 years ago but never broke into the first team, signs on for a fee believed to be around £4m after finishing as Southampton’s second top scorer in the league with 13 goals last season.

And after penning his contract, Lambert stated ”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.”

The 32 year old made 235 appearances for Southampton and scored 117 goals. He also has only missed one league game in the last two seasons.

Lambert is part of England’s 23-man squad to the 2014 World Cup alongside new teammates Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Glen Johnson and Jordan Henderson.