CHERRIES youngster Kyle Taylor says it is an "unbelievable feeling" to sign his first professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old midfielder admitted he "broke down" when phoning his dad to tell him he had been handed a two-year deal at Vitality Stadium.

Taylor was one of the stars of Cherries under-18s' EFL Youth Alliance Cup triumph last season, scoring twice in the final at Wigan, with his second strike to cap a 4-2 victory a spectacular, slaloming solo effort.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to sign my first professional deal," Taylor told the Cherries website.

"I didn't really react when I first found out because it had to sink in. I wasn't emotional to start with but then I got on the phone to my dad and just broke down!

"But I'm really pleased and I'm excited for the new season."

Taylor penned a six-year youth contract with Cherries when he was 12, having joined the academy two years previously when he was spotted playing for Poole-based side Lytchett Red Triangle.

He played in Cherries under-21s' Hampshire Senior Cup final clash with Basingstoke Town at St Mary's Stadium in May and will now link-up with the under-21 set-up on a full-time basis.