LONDON: Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford has completed a season-long loan move to Crystal Palace, the Eagles announced Tuesday.
The 21-year-old won the second-tier Championship Player of the Year award for scoring 17 goals for Middlesbrough last season before the north-east side lost the play-off final to Norwich -- and he will now look to continue that form in the Premier League.
Bamford, an England Under-21 international, has also spent time away from Chelsea with loan spells at MK Dons and Derby having originally signed for the reigning English champion from the Nottingham Forest academy.
"BREAKING: #CPFC are delighted to announce the signing of @Patrick_Bamford on a season-long loan from @ChelseaFC.", said Palace on their Twitter feed.
At the same time, Chelsea announced that Bamford had signed a new three-year contract before heading away from west London to south London side Palace.
"I'm delighted to sign a new contract with Chelsea," he told the club's website. "My dream has always been to be part of this club for the long term.
"Chelsea have been fantastic with my development and joining Crystal Palace for this season on loan is the next step for me in my career."
Bamford subsequently told Palace's website: "I was quite keen to stay close to London this time and Palace were actually my first choice, but I didn't realise they were keen to start with.
"Then, when I met with the manager (Alan Pardew), he put forward his plans and it was an easy decision.
"I do like to score goals, so hopefully I'll be able to do that a lot here. I want to try to establish myself in a Premier League team and if I can do that here then it would be great for me and great for the club."
Pardew, who had already signed France midfielder Yohan Cabaye, was delighted by Bamford's decision to head to Selhurst Park.
"It's a coup for Crystal Palace ahead of a host of rivals," Pardew said. "I'm so pleased he chose us over others to help develop his game. Hopefully he will be a star for us, Chelsea and -- of course -- England.
"Patrick is one of England's brightest prospects and I will liaise with (Cheslea boss) Jose Mourinho, (England Under-21 coach) Gareth Southgate and Dan Ashworth (director of elite development at the FA) on his progress during this important year in his career."
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