Crystal Palace have completed the signing of high-rated 17-year old centre-back Michael Chambers from Dulwich Hamlet for an undisclosed fee, writes Douglas Elder.

Chambers has penned a two-and-a-half year contract with the Eagles and will now join Gary Issott’s academy squad alongside Quade Taylor, another defender Palace signed from Hamlet last year.

“This is a big opportunity for me so I am delighted,” said Chambers.

“To go from the level I was at to here will be a big change.

“I will work hard, try to impress and, hopefully, I can do well for the club.”

The signing is something of a coup for Palace as the young defender had already turned heads this season, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal among the clubs reported to be interested in him, and Hamlet manager Gavin Rose believes Chambers has a lot of potential.

"I first saw Michael playing for Reading in a reserve game and I assumed he was a regular,” he said.

"When he turned up for a trial with Aspire two weeks later and I found out he was 15 I couldn't believe it.

“Reading did not believe he was good enough but in 18 months with us, he has been fantastic - there is no limit to how far he can go.

"He's also an excellent student - he did four AS-Levels last year and is doing three A-Levels this year."