RICKIE LAMBERT has completed his move from Southampton to boyhood club Liverpool, the Reds announced yesterday.

The 32-year-old underwent a physical on Saturday after a £4 million fee was agreed with the Saints.

Lambert, who is currently out in Miami with England’s World Cup squad, reportedly signed a two-year deal with the club.

Born in Kirkby, Merseyside, Lambert was a member of Liverpool’s academy until his mid-teens, after which he found himself playing in the lower leagues for the likes of Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before finding success at Southampton.

“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 told liverpoolfc.com.

“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.”

He wrote an open letter on Southampton’s website, saying: “Now I have two clubs which will always be in my heart and that is thanks to the Saints fans.

“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.”

Southampton said yesterday that they had “no need to accept any offers” for their other stars despite Lambert’s departure, insisting they’ll wait until a new manager is in place to start operating in the transfer market, despite some clubs’ snooping.