Rickie Lambert has penned an open letter to all at Southampton Football Club via the Club's Official Website following his move to Liverpool.

When I grew up there was only one club I loved. I can honestly say now I have two clubs which will always be in my heart"
Rickie Lambert

What can I say…?

Southampton has been my life for the past five years, in which we have achieved all of our dreams and more.

First I have to thank Markus Liebherr for saving Southampton then Alan Pardew for bringing me to the club.

Thank you to all the staff involved in making me the player I am today. Without your knowledge and commitment I would not be here right now at a World Cup with England.

Thank you to all the players, past and present, who I have had nothing but good times and success with driven by our club captain, Kelvin Davis. I love every last one of you.

Thank you to the managers I have worked with — Alan, Nigel and Mauricio — and their teams for helping me and Southampton step up and adapt to every challenge that has come our way the past five years.

When I grew up there was only one club I loved. I can honestly say now I have two clubs which will always be in my heart and that is thanks to the Saints fans.

The people who support this club have been nothing short of amazing towards me and, when I look back in years to come, it will be the relationship I had with the fans here which will stand out the most.

Southampton have allowed me to realise a lifelong ambition by joining Liverpool FC and taking my family home. The five-year plan when I arrived was to get this club from League 1 to the top half of the Premier League. Against all the odds we have achieved that.

Now, under Katharina Liebherr’s leadership, the club has the chance for a new plan, a new chapter, and I wish them all the success in the world.

Rickie Lambert

Photo: Action Images

densham41 added 19:41 - Jun 2 Class act. Southampton legend up there with MLT and Mickey Channon. Ricky as a player and a person is just Class. Thanks
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REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 20:18 - Jun 2 Yeah I wish him all the best. Hope he gets some decent game time at Liverpool although they'll probably just use him for 20 minutes here and there and for the odd cup game. I'm sure he'll be happy there none the less. So looking on the bright side: Saints will have to spend big on a top class striker!! Hope they've got some quality players lined up!
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A1079 added 22:03 - Jun 2 I would not normally feel any sense of joy at seeing a player leave Saints which in so many ways has been a player that we have all taken to our hearts because as a person and a player he has always consistently shown dignity, pride, gratitude and commitment and so he has continued to do so in the manner in which he has left. Along with Channon and Le Tissier I hold him in equal regard and respect. I am sorry to see him go but who, given the chance would not love the opportunity to play for the club and town that they have grown up with, love and feel emotionally and physically attached to. I sincerely wish Rickie Lambert all the very best through the remainder of his career and as far as I am concerned he will always be welcomed and receive a warm response whenever he comes to St Marys. Thank you Rickie for all you have done and for being a true professional.

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1962saint added 23:12 - Jun 2 What a great player and yet no big ego. Glad that he mentioned Alan Pardew who made some shrewd buys as manager (Fonte has also made the step up as a Prem player and Puncheon who we sold for a profit). Interesting that he didn't include Cortese when thanking those who helped him.
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wazzosan added 00:00 - Jun 3 Good luck Rickie, what a great guy. Just don't score against us next season.
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CovSaint added 09:56 - Jun 3 SRL we salute you... a true, modest professional who has worked his socks off for Saints over the past 5 years. Southampton's loss is Liverpool's gain, but all the best to him and his family - thanks for all your contributions and all the best of luck in Brazil and beyond - simply the best.
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ExiledSupporter added 10:39 - Jun 3 Yep, a thoroughly decent bloke with a fairy tale story that we helped make come true and a player that will always be associated with and represent perhaps our best few years. All the best Rickie I wonder how much of this he wrote and how much was the club's interpretation of how he should feel!
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truthfulsaint added 10:27 - Jun 4 Sorry but he should have moved after the WC. I feel let down but I understand. Good luck Ricky
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