FOREST Green boss Ady Pennock has confirmed the marquee signing of Scottish Premier League striker James Marwood.

Marwood,24, has agreed an 18-month contract at Rovers after having his contract cancelled by St Mirren.

Marwood travelled with his new team-mates to Derbyshire this morning and will undergo a medical at the team hotel, but isn’t expected to make his debut at Alfreton Town in the Vanarama Conference tomorrow.

Pennock said: "I spoke to him when he left Gateshead in the summer and flew up to Scotland for talks.

"Lots of clubs we're showing interest in James as soon as he became available this week, so we are very happy to have him on board.”

The son of former England and Arsenal midfielder Brian, Pennock used his close friendship with the current Manchester City academy director to help broker the deal.

Pennock added: “Brian and I are very good friends, so we’ve kept in touch about James’ situation.”

Marwood came through the youth system at Newcastle and has also played for Blyth Spartans but joined Gateshead in 2010 and netted 15 times last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Football League, losing to Cambridge in the play-off final.