Josh McEachran looking for a 'fresh start' after cutting ties with Chelsea to sign for Brentford

Josh McEachran says he needed a 'fresh start' after bringing an end to his 15-year-old association with Chelsea to sign for Brentford.

McEachran, 22, signed a four-year deal with the Bees on Friday 10 July having made just 22 appearances for his former club since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2010.

The midfielder had five loan spells away from Stamford Bridge in the last three years but is now ready to settle down at one club and secure consistent first team football.

McEachran told Brentford's official website: "I have been at Chelsea for 15 years now so I felt it was time for a fresh start.

"I want to get settled and start playing week in week out. As a young player all you want to do is to play week in week out. I was playing consistently after the winter break and that is what I needed.

"I feel settled now. I have signed here for four years so I want to meet the rest of the squad and start training. Brentford as a club are really going in the right direction so for me to join at this time is really exciting. The manager and owner have put a lot of faith in me."

Brentford are preparing for the season under the new regime of manager Marinus Dijkhuizen, who replaced Mark Warburton at the end of the 2015-16 season.

After reaching the play-off stages of the Championship last term, the Bees are hoping to build on that progress and McEachran is excited about the project unfolding in west London.

"I have been hearing a lot of positive stuff about Brentford," he continued. "I met the manager and I watched Brentford a lot last season and I think the style of play will suit me perfectly.

"There is a lot going on at Brentford and there are a lot of positive things happening. The style of play is the main reason why I came here but the manager, chairman and owner all had a big impact and I am really excited to be here."