Rickie Lambert signs for West Brom

West Brom have completed the signing of Rickie Lambert on a two-year-contract after swiftly concluding negotiations for the Liverpool striker.

It is understood the Baggies have paid just under £3 million for the 33-year-old, meaning the Reds will make a loss of more than a £1million on the player who only joined them from Southampton last summer.

The fee was agreed around lunchtime on Friday and Lambert travelled down to the Albion training ground for a medical ahead of the deal being completed late in the day.

His move to Liverpool 13 months ago was touted as a dream return for a player rejected by the club's academy, but it quickly became apparent things were not going to work out and Lambert turned down a move to a move to Villa in January after the Reds accepted he was no longer part of manager Brendan Rodgers' plans.

Albion also rejected a surprise approach from Villa for defender Joleon Lescott.

The claret and blues are understood to have discussed a possible £1million fee for the centre-back, who has a year left to run on his current deal after joining in a free transfer from Manchester City last summer.

But the Baggies have steadfastly rejected the approach, with boss Tony Pulis only looking to add to further his defensive ranks following the £8million signing of James Chester from Hull on Wednesday.

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Villa's move comes after they turned down two bids from Albion for centre-back Ciaran Clark earlier in the summer.

Boss Tim Sherwood is also looking to strengthen in that position, with Nathan Baker reportedly close to joining Burnley.