Shaq Forde joined Bristol Rovers in August 2023 from Watford for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.

Born in Watford, Forde joined the Hornets' academy in 2012 and made his senior debut aged 17 off the bench in a 4-1 loss to Leicester City in the third-round of the FA Cup in January 2022.

The forward then joined Kings Langley the month after and made an immediate impact, scoring, assisting and winning a penalty in a 4-0 triumph over Wimborne Town. Forde scored two goals in three appearances for the club.

He was recalled to train with Watford's senior side in April and was named their Young Player of the Season. His performances earned him his first professional contract.

There was more debut delighted for Forde after he signed on loan for York City in December 2022, netting a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Gateshead. The attacker then scored a hat-trick on his first start against Maidstone United just five days later. Forde went on to score nine goals in 20 appearances.

Forde went on his third loan move the following campaign, moving to Sky Bet League One side Leyton Orient. He scored on his first start against Cambridge United, netting nine league goals in 40 appearances in the third tier.

The forward then signed for Rovers on transfer deadline day in the summer and made his debut against Barnsley.