Peterborough United sign Fulham's Matthew Briggs

Briggs (right) challenges FC Twente's Roberto Rosales in the Europa League

Peterborough United have signed Fulham defender Matthew Briggs on a one-month loan deal.

The 20-year-old left-back, who can also play in the centre, is the youngest ever Premier League player, debuting at the age of 16 years and 65 days.

Boss Darren Ferguson told the club website: "He is a good size, has great pace, has a good left-foot and I am delighted to bring him to the club."

Briggs has made 19 appearances for Fulham and one for Leyton Orient.

He had a loan spell at Orient in the 2009-10 season.

This season he has appeared 14 times, 11 of those games in the Europa League, and scored against Northern Irish side Crusaders in July.

The England Under-21 international, who is contracted to Fulham for another two and a half seasons, was strongly linked to Bristol City last month.

But Posh are short of options at centre-back and Gabby Zakuani will be the only senior professional in that position when Ryan Bennett moves to Norwich at the end of February.

Ferguson added: "Matthew is a lad I've been interested in for a while, even when I was at Preston.

"He can play at centre-back, but his main position is left-back. He will strengthen us without a shadow of doubt.

"I have been using Craig Alcock or Tommy Rowe in that position. The majority of games we have won, Tommy has played in midfield and I am aware of that. Matthew gives us another option and he adds a bit of quality to the squad and I am very pleased to have him on board."