Danny Welbeck is just one goal away from writing himself into Albion history.

The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker joined the club on a free transfer back in 2020 after an underwhelming stint at Watford that ended with his contract being terminated by mutual consent.

His record with the Hornets was not inspiring, as he only found the net twice in 18 league appearances.

Welbeck was initially handed a one-year contract at the Amex but went on to prove he would be a shrewd addition to the team.

Danny Welbeck could become Albion's leading Premier League goalscorer against Fulham (Image: Richard Parkes)His first goal for the club came on November 21 as he found the net in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

The striker picked the ball on the halfway line, and as he bared down the goal, he converted the chance with a delightful chip.

Welbeck’s first home goal for the club also proved to be important as he earned the club a point in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United.

His effort came just four minutes before half-time as he showed off his chest control before hammering the ball into the goal.

The striker would then go on to score four more goals before the season ended with efforts coming against Newcastle, Manchester United, Leeds and West Ham.

He finished the season with a respectable six goals in 24 Premier League appearances while also chipping in with one assist.

Welbeck did enough to convince the club to hand him a new one-year deal for the 2021/22 season.

He managed to make 25 appearances that season as hamstring injuries limited his time on the pitch in the first half of the season.

His first three goals of the season came against Leicester City and Chelsea and in the reverse fixture with the Foxes.

Despite only having three goals in 20 appearances, Welbeck then hit form in the final five games of the season.

He netted in the 2-2 draw against Southampton and the 1-1 draw against Leeds.

This was then followed by a vital goal against West Ham on the final day of the season, which was a 3-1 win.

Welbeck’s header sealed the win against the Hammers and confirmed Albion’s best-ever finish in the Premier League.

The club handed Welbeck a new two-year deal after the start of the 2022/23 season that would see him through until 2024.

He started the season as the starting striker for the club but struggled in front of goal until the 20th game of the campaign.

Welbeck netted his first of the season in the famous 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Amex after he was introduced as a substitute.

He went on to add five more goals that season, with efforts against West Ham, Brentford, Chelsea and Wolves.

His performance against Wolves was the first time he bagged a brace for the Seagulls.

Albion won the game 6-0, with Welbeck netting his first with a composed downwards header while his second came with a powerful strike from outside of the box.

The following season saw Welbeck’s lowest return for league goals, as he only hit five in 29 appearances for the club.

His best moments came when he scored in the 3-1 win over Manchester United, as well as a looping header in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

But this season, Welbeck has shown his most prolific form for the club.

In just 13 appearances, he has already scored six times, matching his best league tally for the club.

Welbeck’s first of the season came on the opening day against Everton, and he then scored another goal against Manchester United.

After going goalless in his next two, he returned to the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at the Amex.

Welbeck then hit goals in three consecutive league games as he helped the side beat Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle.

His most recent goal came in the 2-2 draw Wolves.

This has taken his tally to 29 in the Premier League, just one behind cult hero Pascal Gross and three more than the likes of Glenn Murray and Neal Maupay.

Should he find the net against Fulham on Thursday, then he will be going down in history as one of the club’s most important players in the Premier League era.

Welbeck will also be eyeing up a career-best return in a single league campaign.

He has never reached double digits with his best seasons, both during his time at Manchester United when he hit nine in 2011/12 and 2013/14.

Now 34, Welbeck is ageing like a fine wine and is seemingly only getting better with age on the South Coast.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler has previous backed the veteran to continue playing into his 40s.

He said: “If he continues to behave like he does, then he can play on for a long time.

“We have another player who is an age of nearly 40 and he’s still there and trying to be the best every day. That’s the same for Danny.

“I knew [when I came] he had great talent and he’s a great team-mate and very supportive. He’s not only a great footballer but a great team-mate and personality.

“He has a feeling for the dynamics of the team and he tries to connect the players. That’s very important for me.”