Fulham have signed Southend youngster Lyle Della-Verde.

The 16 year-old winger rose to prominence with a series of superb performances in the Shrimpers’ run in last season’s FA Youth Cup. Della-Verde joined Southend from Essex outfit Ryan three years ago and stole the show in a recent youth tournament that featured Norwich and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Those displays prompted Wolves to take an interest in signing the youngster, but Martin Jol moved quickest to bring the teenager to Craven Cottage.