BORN in Hammersmith and having grown up in Shepherd’s Bush, Taylor Richards’ footballing story began down the road – in the academy of Fulham.

His eye-catching improvement at Craven Cottage saw him leave for Manchester City at the age of just 14, though – and Taylor’s progress hasn't ended there.

Earning a scholarship aged 16 and eventually becoming a regular for City’s Under-18s, he would also earn international recognition with England’s Under-17s.

Subsequently clocking up further game time and goals for the club’s Under-23s, Richards opted to move to Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £2.5million in 2019.

After more U23 appearances for the Seagulls, the attacking midfielder made his professional debut against Aston Villa in the third round of the 2019/20 Carabao Cup.

A year’s loan at Doncaster Rovers followed in 2020/21, where Richards scored 11 goals in 48 appearances – also registering five assists.

He signed a new three-year contract at Brighton last summer and made a handful of appearances for the Albion in the league and cup, before spending the second half of the campaign at Birmingham City – his spell there hampered by injury.

Now, Taylor is back ‘home’ as he looks to fulfil his undoubted potential with regular first-team football at Loftus Road.

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