Rickie Lambert has officially retired from professional football.

With speculation growing that Crystal Palace may have been interested in signing the 35 year-old as a free agent, the former Liverpool striker has released a statement confirming that he is finally hanging up his boots.

In it, Lambert thanks the fans of all the clubs he played for and expresses his great pride at going to the 2014 World Cup squad with England.

However, it is the very first sentence of the statement which really stands out:

"Rickie Lambert, England International and top league goal scorer in all of English football this millennium, has decided to retire from professional football."

Lambert celebrates scoring for Liverpool (
Image:
Mike Hewitt)

Yes, remarkably, Lambert retires having scored more league goals than any other player in English football this century.

Here's the top five since 2000:

5. Jermain Defoe - 187 goals

4. Billy Sharp - 193 goals

3. Jamie Cureton - 199 goals

2. Wayne Rooney - 200 goals

1. Rickie Lambert - 219 goals

Lambert of Liverpool scores a penalty against Besiktas in 2015 (
Image:
John Powell)

Lambert’s career spanned over 700 professional games, scoring 241 goals in all competitions. He represented nine clubs across all four divisions, earning a promotion at every level.

It was only aged 30 that he was able to realise his ambition of playing in the Premier League, scoring for Southampton against Manchester City on the opening day of the 2012 season. His form earned him a call up to the England squad, a trip to the World Cup in Brazil and subsequently a move to his childhood heroes Liverpool.

“I feel lucky to have been involved in this sport for as long as I have," he said.

Lambert also played for West Brom (
Image:
Richard Heathcote/Getty)

"I have had some ups and downs in my career but to have represented clubs like Southampton, 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.”

Rickie Lambert scores on his England debut in 2013 (
Image:
Getty)

“I would like to thank the fans of all of the clubs I played for but especially at Southampton where I enjoyed my best years as a footballer and had a special relationship with everyone connected to the club.

Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates after winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in March 2010 (
Image:
Getty)

"Thank you to all the players I have played with and managers I have played for throughout my career, it was an honour to work with you all. Thank you to my family and friends who have always been there for me, especially my gorgeous wife Amy.”

“I will be taking a break for a while to spend some quality time with my family just being a husband and father. In the future I hope to give back as best I can to the game that has given me so much”