FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper has shown a statement of intent by landing top striker Reuben Reid from Exeter City.

Reid becomes Forest Green Rovers’ fifth signing of the January transfer window after joining from Exeter City for an undisclosed fee today.

The 29-year-old forward joins on a two-and-a-half-year deal, having scored 17 goals and got four assists in 2017 for the Grecians.

“I’m relieved,” said Reid, whose first interest in FGR came during a pre-season game for previous club Plymouth Argyle back in 2015.

“It ran a lot smoother that I thought it would and things happen in football very quickly and I’ve come down today and managed to get it over the line.

“I’ve had a bit of interest from Forest Green in a few different windows, sometimes stronger than other times, but the potential of the club and the long-term future of the club excite me.

“From a selfish point of view, I think it’s an environment I can thrive in.

“There’s a lot of points to play for and I am joining here with the belief that relegation is not an option.

“With the help of others, fortunes will improve and we’ll pick up enough points to kick on and finish in a solid position.”

Reid has scored over 100 league goals in his career so far and will add a real goal scoring threat alongside top scorer Christian Doidge.

FGR boss Mark Cooper said: “It’s been going on for a couple of weeks and one we have been working really hard on.

“We’re pleased. Reuben is a proven striker at this level and I think it gives us that added cutting edge at the top end of the pitch and it gives us the option to play two up front with Christian.

“He is a strong boy, he can score, he’s got good pace and skill and I think he will be a perfect foil for Christian.

“We’ve brought Reuben in to partner Christian, not to replace him, that’s for certain.

“We’re hopeful there will be a couple more to come. Sometimes you can’t get them all at the same time, we know there are areas we need to address and we’re working hard to do that.”

Reid will be familiar to Rovers fans, as the forward scored a brace in the first meeting between the sides at The New Lawn in September and appeared as a second half sub in the 3-3 FA cup draw last month.

Reid was born in Bristol and gave up a professional cricket career with Gloucestershire to pursue his football career with Plymouth Argyle, who he joined as a youngster in 2005/06. Following loan spells with Kidderminster, Rochdale, Torquay, Wycombe and Brentford, he was eventually sold to Rotherham United where he scored 19 goals in his first season.

That form led to him joining West Brom, but he struggled to hold down a regular place in the side, and so had two further loan spells with Peterborough and Walsall. Permanent deals with Oldham and Yeovil followed that, before he joined Plymouth Argyle, initially on loan, and then on a two year deal in June 2014.

He scored 50 goals for Argyle in 165 appearances, before making the move to local rivals Exeter in September 2016 where his fine form continued, with the striker scoring a total of 22 goals and getting ten assists in his 67 appearances.