Rickie Lambert: Southampton striker signs new deal with club

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has signed a new two-year contract extension with the club.

The 31-year-old former Rochdale and Bristol Rovers frontman is currently the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League with 13 goals this term.

And the Liverpool-born forward has been rewarded with an extension until 2016.

"To be spending the next three years at Southampton is something I'm absolutely delighted about," Lambert told BBC Radio Solent.

"There's a lot of ambition at this club and that was one of the main reasons why I've signed a new contract - that's why I want to finish my career here.

"It's been a great week for me starting with a goal and win against Liverpool, and now finishing with a new contract.

"I'm already enjoying myself massively and my aim is to be here for the next three years.

"I want to push the team on to achieve more than we have already."

The striker's previous deal, which he signed in July 2011, was due to expire next summer.

Lambert has scored 101 goals in 188 appearances for Southampton since signing from Bristol Rovers in August 2009 for a fee in excess of £1m.

He won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in his first year with the Saints and was named Football League Player of the Year in March 2012.

Lambert started his career at Blackpool before moving on to Macclesfield Town, Stockport County and Rochdale.

His move to the south coast came after a successful three-year spell at Bristol Rovers, where he claimed 59 goals in 139 starts.

Lambert had warned his team-mates that they were in a 'relegation dog-fight' last month but a run of form that has seen just three defeats this calendar year has lifted Southampton away from the Premier League relegation zone.

Former Saints manager Dave Merrington recently tipped Lambert for a future England call-up due to his fine form.