West Bromwich Albion bag Liverpool’s Rickie Lambert
West Bromwich Albion, 10/3 chances with Coral for a top 10 finish, have signed striker Rickie Lambert from Liverpool on an two-year deal, for a reported fee of around £3m, as the Baggies finally seem to have stirred in the summer transfer market.
Lambert will join fellow recent recruit James Chester, who arrived from Hull City for £8m, plus winger James McClean – back in the Premier League from third tier team Wigan Athletic in a deal believed to be worth £1.5m.
“Rickie is a good, strong, solid player who is a great character, good in the dressing room and good on the pitch,” said Pulis. “We are very pleased to have him on board. He’s a player of great pedigree and we look forward to integrating him into our squad.”
Read more at http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/lambert-wba-albion-signings-2584798.aspx#f1R8oporuHfvOCDL.99
NEW SIGNING: We are delighted to announce the arrival of Rickie Lambert from Liverpool http://t.co/x5Q3ahsFJa pic.twitter.com/3BPywKxhpQ
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBAFCofficial) July 31, 2015
Tony Pulis’ side had a slow start to the transfer window, but now look to be adding some solid signings and, despite dangerman Lambert’s struggles on his native Merseyside, look to have landed quite the bargain here.
A traditional English-style centre forward, Lambert should suit Pulis’ style to a tee, having previously proven his top tier credentials with former side Southampton.
The 33-year-old fired the Saints into the Premier League, where he clocked up 28 strikes over two terms, attracting the attention of boyhood club Liverpool, who had released him as a youngster.
Lambert’s inspiring story, having worked his way up from the old Third Division to the bright lights of the top flight, eventually saw him claim 11 England caps, netting three goals, though his lacklustre season at Anfield has seen him fall out of international favour.
Now heading into the twilight of his career, Lambert cannot afford to be sitting on the Anfield sidelines, having played a full 90 minutes in the league on just five occasions last campaign, netting only twice.
Now plucky Pulis can call on an experienced predator to complement club-record signing Brown Ideye and young-gun Saido Berahino, though the latter has been linked with a switch to Spurs.
Albion, 4/1 shouts for relegation, finished nine points above the drop zone last term, scoring 38 goals in 38 Premier League games, and need to be more incisive in attack if they are to dodge the trap door once more.
