Chelsea striker Bamford completes Burnley loan switch

Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford has joined Burnley on loan until the end of the season.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche said after his side’s 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that the move for the 22-year-old was close to completion.

A number of Championship clubs, including QPR, were hoping to sign Bamford, but he preferred to stay in the Premier League.

Bamford has not played a first-team game for the Blues since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2012.

He has had loan spells with MK Dons, Derby and Middlesbrough, where he was named Championship player of the year in 2014-15, following 17 goals in 38 games.

Last season he gained Premier League experience with Crystal Palace and Norwich City, but failed to score for either club in 16 appearances.