LONDON — Liverpool has signed striker Rickie Lambert from Southampton, the Premier League club said Monday. The 32-year-old, currently with the England squad in Miami preparing for the World Cup, scored 13 league goals for the Saints last term as the south coast side ended their campaign in eighth place with a club-record 56 points. “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,” Lambert said on the club 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.” No transfer fee was disclosed but British media reported that Lambert, a boyhood Liverpool fan who spent his youth career at Anfield before being released at the age 15, was costing around four million pounds ($6.7 million). Lambert scored 114 goals in 228 appearances for Southampton, and after playing for a number of years in England's lower leagues he helped the Saints rise from the third tier to the Premier League. Along with many of his teammates he flourished under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, earning a call-up to the England side and a place in Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad. “When I grew up there was only one club I loved,” Lambert told the Southampton website. “I can honestly say now I have two clubs which will always be in my heart and that is thanks to the Saints fans. “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 realize a lifelong ambition by joining Liverpool FC and taking my family home” Lambert is Liverpool's first signing since the start of the transfer window and the Premier League runner-up will look to strengthen further ahead of next season's Champions League campaign. Villa joins MLS club David Villa of Spain has signed a three-year contract with New York City FC, becoming the first player on the expansion Major League Soccer team that starts play next season. “Throughout my career, I've always tried to keep pushing myself to achieve new targets, and this represents another important goal for me,” Villa said in a statement. “I want to try and help MLS continue to grow, through playing, working hard, scoring goals and at the same time try to make New York City FC become the best team in the league.” NYCFC starts play in March, and the team could loan him to a club later this year. The 32-year-old forward helped Spain win the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup. He is a member of his country's roster for next month's tournament. He missed the 2012 Euros, which Spain also won, after breaking his left leg while playing for Barcelona in the Club World Cup. He holds Spain's record with 56 international goals. MLS said Monday that Villa was acquired on a free transfer from Spanish league champion Atletico Madrid, where he scored 15 goals in 47 games in all competitions last season. — Agencies
