Former West Brom striker Rickie Lambert announces retirement
Former West Brom and England international striker Rickie Lambert has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 35-year-old spent just one season at The Hawthorns, joining the club for £3m from Liverpool, scoring a single goal.
He went on to leave the club for Cardiff last season, and was released by the Bluebirds in the summer.
He was previously linked with a surprise move to Indian side Kerala Blasters, but has instead decided to hang up his boots.
"I feel lucky to have been involved in this sport for as long as I have," he said.
"I have had some ups and downs in my career, but to have represented clubs like Southampton and Liverpool and playing for my country in a World Cup were beyond my wildest dreams.
"Playing and scoring for England is probably my proudest professional moment and I will look back at every aspect of how I got there with fond memories."
Lambert had stints with Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before making the move to Southampton, where he scored over 100 goals in five years.
He famously scored with his first touch on his England debut in the 3-2 win over Scotland in 2013.
