Bristol Rovers is delighted to announce the signing of Shaq Forde from Sky Bet Championship side Watford for an undisclosed fee.
Forde has signed a three-year contract at The Memorial Stadium, with the option of a further season, and becomes the Gas’ sixteenth signing of the transfer window.
The promising forward - who will wear the No28 shirt at Bristol Rovers - has stepped up through the leagues through his previous three loan spells, spending last season at Leyton Orient in League One.
"I'm excited to join Bristol Rovers," Forde said. "It's been a long day with a lot to do, but I'm really happy to finally get the deal done and be a Bristol Rovers player.
"Making a move on transfer deadline day is an exciting, new experience for me and I'm glad we got this one over the line so I could join Rovers. The Club has shown me just how much they value me and want me here too. I can't wait to meet the boys and get started now.
"I know Ruel Sotiriou from our time together at Leyton Orient last season, because I was on loan there, and every time I've spoken to him he's only had great things to say about the Club, the facilities and the people here. He's loving life at Bristol Rovers and in this city, and he told me how the Club is perfect for young players to come and get even better. What he said really helped convince me that this was the right place to continue my career too.”
Manager Matt Taylor is happy to bolster his squad and bring Forde to the Club.
Taylor said: "We are delighted to secure the signing of Shaq and bring him to Bristol Rovers.
"Shaq comes to us at a good age, with a lot of potential and a good record in League One last season, and we are looking forward to working with him going forward."
Born in Watford, Forde came through the Hornets academy and debuted for the Championship outfit as a 17-year-old, coming off the bench in an FA Cup match against Leicester City on 8 January 2022.
The attacker then made a loan move to Southern League Premier Division South side Kings Langley and immediately made a good impression, scoring, winning a penalty and registering an assist in a 4-0 victory over Wimborne Town. He netted two goals in three appearances before returning to Watford to train with the first team.
Forde’s performances throughout the campaign earned him the 2021/22 Young Player of the Season award at Watford, with the attacker signing a professional contract with the club.
Another loan move followed in December 2022. He moved to York City in the National League for the remainder of the campaign. Forde scored on his debut again, earning his new side a 2-2 draw against Gateshead before following it up with a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Maidstone United five days later. Overall, he scored nine goals in twenty league outings for the Minstermen.
Forde stepped up to League One last season and spent time on loan at Leyton Orient alongside current Gas forward Ruel Sortiriou. He netted on his first start against Cambridge United, bagging nine goals and one assist in the third tier last term.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to welcome Shaq to the Club and wish him every success for his career in the blue-and-white quarters.
