Taylor Moore signs three-year pro contract at RC Lens

Tuesday 09 Dec 2014
Moore helped England U17s to Euro glory in May
England U18s defender Taylor Moore has signed his first professional contract with French Ligue 1 club RC Lens.

The 17-year-old, who has been at the club since 2008 after moving across the channel with his family nearly a decade ago, has signed a three-year deal.

The centre-half, who can also play in midfield, has been a regular in Neil Dewsnip’s England U18s squad this campaign, recently featuring in the successive 3-2 and 4-1 victories over Poland last month.

Taylor Moore factfile

England U17s - 11 caps
Debut v Holland 26/02/14 
European Championship winner 2014

England U18s - 4 caps
Debut v Holland 3/9/14

He received his first international call-up in February of this year, making his debut for John Peacock’s U17s at the Algarve Tournament before going on to help his country win the European Championship in May – scoring from the spot during the penalty shoot-out win over Holland in the final.

Upon the announcement by Lens late on Monday evening, Moore said: “This is a great day for me! For six years I have been at the club and I worked hard to get here.

“This professional contract is a reward for me, for my family and for all the efforts made so far. But this is only the beginning of something that I hope will be great and beautiful.

“Becoming a professional player is the dream of every little boy who plays football . RC Lens is and always will be a very big club.”

The England team parade the European Under-17 Championship trophy at Wembley

Taylor Moore and the England team parade the European Championship trophy at Wembley

He continued: “In signing, I first thought a lot about my family. These are the most important people to me. My family has always been there, whether in good times and in bad times.

“When I say this, I think my family is with me in France, but also to my family who live in England. I love them all very much and this is a great day for us all.”

Another of the Moore family, Taylor’s younger brother Keaton, is also at Lens playing in their U15 side, and he told the club’s website he is keen to follow in his elder sibling’s footsteps.

"My brother signed his first professional contract, and this is one of the best days for the family - it is a dream.

“I have also played at Racing for three years. I would like him to succeed and achieve at least where he is at today. I congratulate him and tell him that I love him.”

By Gary Stonehouse Staff Writer