July 21 2015

Patrick Bamford

Crystal Palace have secured the signing of Chelsea striker PATRICK BAMFORD on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old scored 19 goals on loan at Middlesbrough in the second tier last season and his impressive displays earned him the Championship Player of the Year award.

BAMFORD, who has just signed a three-year contract with Chelsea, is eager to keep that fine goal-scoring form going under Eagles boss Alan Pardew.

"When I met with manager Alan Pardew, he put forward his plans and it was an easy decision," said BAMFORD.

"I like to get in behind the defence. I would say I am deceptively quick, but I am sure they will make their own minds up. I do like to score goals, so hopefully I will be able to do that a lot here."

BAMFORD will travel with fellow new boy Yohan Cabaye and the rest of the squad to South Africa for this weekend's two-match tournament in Cape Town.

The England U21 international joined Chelsea from Nottingham Forest in 2012 for £1.5m and has had loan stints with MK Dons and Derby County.