Sutton United striker Stefan Payne has targeted a first team slot when he finally joins up with new club Fulham in January.

The 18-year-old started his first day as a Premier League footballer yesterday having completed a £25,000 move to Craven Cottage on Tuesday taking him from the Ryman League Premier Division to the top flight.

The former Croydon FC man, who switched to Gander Green Lane in the summer, signed a two-year contract in a deal that could be worth more than £250,000 to United.

Payne - an Arsenal fan who’s style some have likened to Thierry Henry - was signed outside of the transfer window, meaning he will be loaned back to Sutton until the turn of the year and is only be eligible to play two competitive reserve team fixtures for the Cottagers.

But the youngster, who first caught the eye with a hat-trick on the opening day of the new season, is confident that will be enough for him to make an impression.

“It is really exciting. You have to pinch yourself a little bit when you see how far I’ve come in a short space of time. It is a big opportunity for me,” he said.

“I’m not too sure when I’ll play my first game because the reserve team manager reckons I’ll need to get used to life training full-time.

“It will take time to adjust, but I think I can get into the first team when I'm settled. I just want to concentrate on my football and push on from here.”

But first there is the small task of repaying Sutton boss Paul Doswell’s faith in him by setting his side on its way to Ryman League Premier Division promotion.

“A lot of the fans have been saying it is great for me, but bad for the club on the pitch,” he added.

“I’ll be around until January though and hopefully if I can get a few more goals under my belt by then, it will put Sutton in a good position.”