THE lack of a transfer window in the National League has allowed Forest Green boss Mark Cooper to swoop for highly-rated Chelmsford City striker Shamir Mullings on a two-and-a-half year contract.

The 23-year-old, 6ft 5ins hot-shot, who has hit 14 goals in 21 games for the Conference South outfit, was being courted by Peterborough United, Gillingham, Luton Town and Stevenage, but with the Football League window closed until January, Cooper landed his top target for an undisclosed fee.

A delighted Cooper, said: “I spoke recently about adding a bit of presence and size, and Sham is a big handful, 6ft 5ins, rapidly quick and shown this season he can score goals - and he will definitely add to the squad.

"I’m really pleased, it took a lot of work – a lot of interest in him, and obviously the bonus was he couldn’t sign for a league club until January, so that enabled us to nip in

“A lot of work gone into this with obviously myself, James Mooney (secretary) and the chairman (Dale Vince) trying to get this over the line and persuade Sham that this is the right move for him.”

Watch Forest Green boss Mark Cooper speak for the first time following the signing of Chelmsford City hot-shot Shamir Mullings.