Birmingham City have smashed the League One transfer record to sign Fulham striker Jay Stansfield in an extraordinary deal worth an initial £15 million.

Stansfield, an England youth international, spent last season on loan at Birmingham, where he scored 13 goals in 47 appearances.

The total fee for the 21-year-old could yet reach £20 million, after add-ons. Telegraph Sport understands Birmingham will also pay a bonus of £100,000 if they secure promotion to the Championship, and that Fulham have inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.

Before this summer, the League One transfer record stood at around £4 million, which is what Sunderland paid to sign Will Grigg from Wigan in 2019.

Stansfield, who has signed a seven-year contract at Birmingham, said: “I thought it was only right for me to come back here and take on this next challenge, and be part of such an amazing club and amazing project.”

Stansfield joined Fulham from Exeter City in 2019 and was a prolific goalscorer for the club’s youth sides.

First-team football incentive

In a message to Fulham fans, he said: “I just want to say a massive thank you for the last five years that I’ve been at this amazing club.

“I’ve taken this choice and opportunity to go and play first-team football, and taken this next challenge to be able to develop my career, not just as a player but as a person.

“I can’t thank the club enough and all the fans, and everyone around the place, for the last five years and for making me into the person I am today.

“Fulham will always have a special place in my heart, as that’s where I’ve made my home for five years.

“All the achievements that I’ve made, playing in the Premier League and scoring my first senior goal for such a major club, I can’t thank the Fulham family enough for all the opportunities and the love they’ve given me.

“I wish you all the best for the future and hopefully we come across each other again soon.”