Nathaniel Chalobah revealed his move to Fulham was inspired by the club’s ambition to return to the top flight and is looking forward to working under Marco Silva again.

The England international was nurtured by Silva during the Fulham head coach’s spell in charge at Vicarage Road and Chalobah has signed a two-year contract at Craven Cottage after agreeing terms for his deadline day switch yesterday. The midfielder, who spent a year in Fulham’s academy as a youngster, believes the Whites are well placed to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

In his first interview as a Fulham player, Chalobah told FFCTV:

“There’s a great project here, one that excites me. I worked with the gaffer during my first year at Watford and I always got a good vibe from him. I’ve looked at the team here and thought we’ve got a really good squad and we’ve got the potential to be back in the Premier League next year. That’s the target.”

The former Chelsea midfielder was full of praise for Silva and hopes his reunion with the Portuguese can prove as productive as their spell together at Vicarage Road.

“It was brilliant. He’s very hands on. He likes things being done his way. At the time, I was quite young and I wanted to learn. I still want to learn now, I still think I can improve as a player and I started off really well with him, unfortunately I had an injury. I feel like it is something that has started before – and we can finish it off.

Chalobah knows a number of Fulham’s first team squad and is excited to try and force his way into Silva’s first choice midfield.

“I know Michael Hector, Bobby, Josh Onomah – I know quite a few of lads. Denis Odoi I’ve met before, Tosin – there’s that mutual respect when you meet each other. I think we’ve got a really good squad and can do well.