Forest Green Rovers have beaten Premier League clubs to sign talented forward Taylor Allen from National League North side Nuneaton Borough.
Allen will join on a one-year contract in the summer after impressing on trial earlier in the year.
The 18-year-old has made 10 appearances for Nuneaton since joining from Birmingham based side Romulus FC in January.
Back in March, he had a trial with 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City where he played for their Under 23's against Tottenham Hotspur and the left-footed teenager has turned down the opportunity to sign for Premier League and other clubs to move to the New Lawn.
Allen, who will see out the rest of the season at Liberty Way, can play wide left or as a striker and he was delighted to have signed his first professional contract.
“I’m over the moon,” he said.
“The last couple of months have been mad, being in non-league with Nuneaton and then getting the chance to come to a club like Forest Green, who are on the up.
“I’ve played men’s football since I was 16 and that has been the biggest learning curve for me, playing in the Conference North in a physical league and playing with ex pros, learning a lot off of them.
“I got a feel from speaking to the manager and head of recruitment that I wanted to come to this club.
“I like the style of play and it will suit me being around a manager who will help me to develop."
Allen also says he wants to bring a bit of magic to the team as well as chipping in with goals.
“I’m a left-footed player who plays off the left but I am versatile. First of all I work hard but I like to get a goal here and there and put a few crosses into the box and bring a bit of flair," he added.
“I just want to work hard to start off with, try and get around a first team game and just be around it and get a feel of it and see where this year takes me.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel