Nottingham Forest have confirmed teenager Dale Taylor has signed a new deal with the club.
The young forward has put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Reds. And he has spoken of his ambitions for the future.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling to sign for another three years with this massive football club and I can’t wait to see what these next three years hold for me,” he told the official website. "This season, I will continue to work hard, try to break into the first team and hopefully get my debut."
READ MORE: Transfer details revealed as Nottingham Forest close on fourth summer signing
READ MORE: Forest confirm final pre-season fixtures as Reds 'thank' Notts County for help
Taylor has yet to make his first-team debut for Forest, but he has represented Northern Ireland at senior level. He was also a key player for Warren Joyce’s Under-18s as they reached the FA Youth Cup final last term and has featured for the Under-23s.
The 18-year-old made the move to the City Ground from Linfield two years ago. He travelled with Steve Cooper’s squad when they took on Fulham at Craven Cottage in April, and he was an unused substitute in the 5-1 thrashing of Swansea City a few days later.
Cooper said of Taylor after the game against the Cottagers: “It was good experience for him. We always take a squad with us - more than the players you see starting and on the bench - because anything can happen when you’re away.
“We’d picked up a couple of injuries with attacking players. It was an opportunity to get a young player involved; we will always do that when we can. We’ve just had a load of them training with us for the last few days, which we enjoy.
“Dale is still very much in the early stages of his development as a full-time player. He’s got a FA Youth Cup final to look forward to as well - and it’s great to see how ticket sales are going for that.
“He was required with us on Tuesday night. And it was great to have him around.
“There’s always a possibility for young players. We’ll never have any hesitation in including them, we quite like it really.
“A lot of our staff have been academy staff at various clubs, so we know how important youth development is to a club - and it’s a proud one here, as well. When chances arise we’ll be throwing them in, that’s for sure.”
Which young players would you like to see get a first-team chance? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT:
