• Premier League

Lambert commits future to Southampton

Rickie Lambert is the top scoring Englishman with 13 goals in the Premier League this season © Getty Images

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Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has signed a contract extension until 2016 and expressed his desire to end his career at the club.

Lambert, 31, has established himself as a firm fans' favourite at St Mary's since joining from Bristol Rovers in August 2009, scoring 101 goals, and his 13-goal haul this season makes him the top English scorer in the Premier League.

The striker's contract had been due to expire at the end of next season but has now been extended by a further two years.

He told the club's official website: "I'm over the moon to sign with Southampton for another three years. I am already enjoying myself massively at this club and the aim now is to stay on for another three years and help push the club on further than where it already is. There is a lot of ambition in this club for the next few years and that is one of the main reasons that I have signed the contract - and that is why I want to end my career here. The core of players who have been together for two or three years are going to be here for another three or four years and that is a really good feeling.

"We all have the same ambition and Nicola's [Cortese the chairman] ambition for this club drives us all on as well, so it really helps the club with where we are now and it will help with where we want to go."

Manager Mauricio Pochettino added how impressed he had been with Lambert's workrate in the short time he has been at the club and hopes the player can be a part of his plans to take Southampton to the next level.

"Rickie Lambert is a very special player for Southampton Football Club. To have scored over 100 goals is a remarkable achievement, and one which he has made possible thanks to hard work and dedication.

"In my time at the club I have been impressed by his mentality and commitment to improving himself in training - attributes that have allowed him to adapt to the Premier League so well.

"I am delighted that Rickie has committed himself to the club for a further three years, and have no doubts that he will continue to deliver for Southampton as we look to push on to the next level."

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