Chelsea sign Nottingham Forest teenager Patrick Bamford

Chelsea have signed Nottingham Forest teenager Patrick Bamford.

The 18-year-old striker has joined the west Londoners from the npower Championship club for an undisclosed fee.

Bamford's Forest deal was due to expire in the summer and has now made the switch the Stamford Bridge.

Forest report that they have negotiated a sell-on clause and made a statement on their official website, www.nottinghamforest.co.uk.

"Bamford's current Forest contract was due to expire this summer and despite being offered the most lucrative contract ever tabled by the Reds for a player of his age, his representatives had indicated he would not re-sign with the club," it read.

"He travelled south for talks earlier today after Forest agreed a fee with Chelsea before completing the formalities of his switch to Stamford Bridge.

"The fee Forest have negotiated with Chelsea includes a sell-on clause."

Bamford has made two first-team appearances for Forest and will go into Chelsea's reserve set-up.

PA