My mum and dad cried when I signed for Liverpool - I thought my agent was lying

Rickie Lambert completed his dream move to Liverpool in 2014 - admitting he thought his agent was lying when the club came knocking.

The now retired striker, penned a two-year contract at Anfield, after the Reds agreed a deal with Southampton. After completing a medical on Merseyside, he flew to Miami with England's World Cup squad 24 hours later.

Born in Kirkby, Lambert had initially been released by the club as a 15-year-old. He embarked on spells at Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before establishing himself at Saints. But after 17 years, Liverpool wanted him back.

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The former striker had quite the reaction when he learned of his boyhood club's interest. "I'm not going to say the words I said to my agent when he first told me! I thought he was lying at first," he told Liverpool's club media.

"I've been trying to let it sink in for a week and it still hasn't. Even now, I am finding it hard to allow it to sink in."

Lambert added: "Obviously 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. It was a shock when I heard Liverpool were in for me.

"I've been trying to keep it as quiet as possible and tell only my close family. My mum and dad shed a few tears when I told them, especially my mum. It's not just playing for Liverpool, it's the fact I'm coming home. I've been away for eight years.

"My mum and dad have loved watching me play football all of my life, even when I was a kid, so it'd been hard for them not being able to come and watch. The fact they've got their son home - and the fact he's playing for Liverpool - is unbelievable.

The 42-year-old ended up staying at Anfield for just one season, making 36 appearances and contributing to five goal involvements, scoring just three times.