Lyle Taylor

Millwall

Taylor was spotted by Millwall whilst playing for Staines Town youth academy, and progressed from the Millwall U18's to the reserve team. In October 2008 he signed a one-month loan deal at Conference National side Eastbourne Borough in order to gain first team experience. In November 2008 his loan was extended by another month. Although he played five games, he had only scored one goal, against Stevenage Borough. Eastbourne Borough coach Nick Greenwood decided to end the loan deal, stating Taylor was not ready for Conference starts, as he was still learning his trade.

Concord Rangers and Bournemouth

Taylor's contract at Millwall expired on 1 July 2009, after which he signed for Concord Rangers. After scoring 34 goals in his first season for Rangers, Taylor was offered a trial with Bournemouth, and subsequently agreed a two-year deal with the south-coast club. He made his Football League debut the following day, in a 3–3 draw against Notts County. However, Taylor struggled to hold down a regular first-team place and appeared to be surplus to requirements.

On 31 January 2011, Taylor signed a one-month loan deal with Isthmian League side Lewes, a deal which was extended the following month. On 7 February 2011, Taylor scored on his Lewes debut, in a 2–2 draw against Boreham Wood. Despite his initial success, in March 2011, Taylor refused to extend his stay at Lewes any further, describing it as a "big risk". Despite public support from assistant manager Steve Fletcher who insisted he had a future at the club, Taylor made no further appearances for Bournemouth that season.

At the start of the 2011–12 season, and following promising performances in pre-season, Taylor scored a brace against Dagenham & Redbridge in the first round of the League Cup. Still unable to force his way into the Bournemouth first–team, in February 2012 Taylor was allowed to leave on loan once more, agreeing a one-month deal with Hereford United. He scored twice in eight appearances for Hereford before returning to his parent club at the end of his loan spell. Taylor was then joined Woking at the end of March, agreeing a loan deal until the end of the season. Having made seven appearances and one goal for Woking, Taylor was released by Bournemouth at the end of the season having netted just two cup goals in the two years he was at the club.

Falkirk

In July 2012, Taylor signed for Scottish side Falkirk, scoring twice on his competitive debut in the Scottish Challenge Cup, in a 3–0 win over Stirling Albion. Taylor also scored on his league debut in a 3–1 defeat against Partick Thistle on 11 August 2012. After a successful season, Taylor attracted interest from elsewhere, with Falkirk accepting an offer from English League One side Rotherham United, only for Taylor to reject the move as he could not agree personal terms with the club.

Sheffield United

Following the collapse of Taylor's proposed move to Rotherham United, Falkirk accepted another offer, this time from Sheffield United and Taylor duly signed a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Taylor made his debut for the Blades in the opening fixture of the following season, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 home victory over Notts County. Unable to hold down a regular place in the side Taylor did not score for his new employers until mid-October when he netted a brace against Coventry City.

Partick Thistle (loan)

With the arrival of new manager Nigel Clough at United however, Taylor continued to find his first team chances limited and was eventually allowed to join Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season. Having made his debut for Partick in a 1–0 away loss to Celtic, Taylor netted his first goal for the Jags in his second game a 2–0 away win against Hearts a few days later. Taylor played 20 games for Partick in total that season, scoring seven goals, before returning to England in the summer.

Scunthorpe United

With first-team opportunities apparently limited at Sheffield United, Taylor joined Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee on 30 June 2014. Taylor made his United debut on 9 August 2014, in a 3–1 defeat against Swindon Town. He made his home debut on 16 August, in a 0–4 defeat against Preston North End. He scored his first goal for the club on 16 September 2014, in a 2–1 win against Coventry City. He scored his second goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Port Vale on 21 October. He played 12 times for United in the league that season, scoring three goals as they finished 16th.

Partick Thistle (second loan spell)

On 2 February 2015, Taylor returned to Partick Thistle for a second loan spell. He scored in his first game back at the club, on 7 February 2015, in a 2–1 defeat against Inverness CT in the Scottish Cup. He scored his first league goal in a 3–1 home defeat against Ross County. Taylor then scored twice in a 2–0 home win over Motherwell on 11 April 2015.

AFC Wimbledon

On 14 July 2015, 25-year-old Taylor signed with AFC Wimbledon for an undisclosed sum. On 1 September, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 loss to Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Trophy. Taylor scored his first league goal in a 2–0 win over Barnet on 3 October 2015. Taylor then scored a double in a 4–3 away win at Accrington. He scored the opening goal in AFC Wimbledon's 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the 2015/16 League Two play-off final. On 30 August 2016, Taylor signed an extended deal.

Career statistics

International career

In March 2015, Taylor was called up to play for the Montserrat national team to play in their qualification ties for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Born in London, Taylor is eligible to represent the Caribbean nation through his grandparents. He made his full International debut against Curaçao on 27 March 2015, and scored his first international goal in the same game.

International goals

Personal life

Born in Greenwich, Taylor has also worked as a model and appeared in TV advertisements for the Champions League.