Striker Shaq Forde has completed a deadline day permanent move to Sky Bet League One side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The Watford-born 20-year-old first joined the club in 2012 and made his professional debut off the bench in the Emirates FA Cup defeat away at Leicester City in January 2022.

A loan spell at Kings Langley followed, and Forde won Watford’s 2021/22 Young Player of the Season award for his performances at the non-league side, as well as for the Under-18s and Under-23s.

This resulted in him signing his first professional contract with the club in July 2022, before being sent on loan to National League North side York City for the 2022/23 season.

After nine goals in 20 appearances for the Minstermen, Forde continued his development in the 2023/24 season with a loan to League Two club Leyton Orient.

It was in East London where he had his breakout season, scoring nine goals in 40 league matches, winning the club's Young Player of the Season award.

Forde, whose Dad Fabian also played for the Hornets, now joins Rovers, who are currently sitting 14th in League One.

• Watford have confirmed that Samuel Kalu has left the club after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

The 27-year-old Nigerian international moved to Vicarage Road from Bordeaux for around £2.25m in the January 2022 transfer window.

However, he was never able to hold a place down in the Watford team and made only 13 first-team appearances.

Last season he was loaned out to Swiss side Lausanne, and now leave the club permanently.