Fulham have signed Chelsea forward Martell Taylor-Crossdale on a free transfer after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired.

The 19 year-old moves to Craven Cottage after a prolific spell in the Chelsea youth team, for whom he won the golden ball in the 2016/2017 Under 18 Premier League. Taylor-Crossdale, who won the Toulon Tournament with England’s Under 18s in 2017, has fond memories of the Cottage having scored a hat-trick when Chelsea beat Fulham 6-0 in the FA Youth Cup quarter final.

Taylor-Crossdale, who had a second half cameo yesterday for Fulham’s Under 23s as they beat Southend United 4-1 at Motspur Park, told Fulham’s official website:

I’m ready to go here and show everyone what I can do. I felt coming here presented the perfect opportunity to push into the first team. I had a look at the pathway into the first team and I’m hopeful I can breakthrough to impress the manager. I’m a player who likes to run in-behind. I’m good in the box and know where the net is, I hope I can score lots of goals for Fulham.

Fulham academy director Huw Jennings added:

“We are delighted to secure the services of Martell. He has been a prolific goal scorer at youth level for Chelsea and joins us with the opportunity to develop his career at Fulham from this solid base.”

Taylor-Crossdale has signed a two-year contract with Fulham.