LAMBERT ENDS HIS ‘DREAM’

RICKIE LAMBERT called his career “beyond my wildest dreams” as he announced his retirement.

The Kirkby-born striker came through the lower leagues before first playing in the Premier League for Southampton aged 30. He scored the winner against Scotland on his England debut in August 2013 and before appearing at the 2014 World Cup as a sub against Uruguay he moved to Liverpool in a £4million move.

Lambert, 35, lasted only one season at Anfield (left) before joining West Brom and has been without a club since leaving Cardiff in July. He scored 218 goals in 607 league games in a career that spanned 19 years and took in nine clubs.

“To have represented clubs like Southampton and Liverpool and playing for my country in a World Cup were beyond my wildest dreams,” said Lambert.

He scored three goals in 11 appearances for England.