FOREST Green Rovers have signed highly rated Whitby Town forward Junior Mondal on an 18-month deal.

The former Middlesbrough youngster was on trial with the club having featured for Rovers in a Central League game against Plymouth Argyle last week.

He will be eligible to play from Wednesday, January 2 but has already joined up with his team-mates to get familiar with the squad.

The 21-year-old had been linked with a number of Football League clubs earlier in the season including Sunderland and Scunthorpe United.

Mondal has scored eight goals for the Evo-Stik Premier Division side so far this season.

On joining Forest Green, Mondal said: "I'm buzzing," he said. "It's a big opportunity and I can't wait to get started. 

"I like the way the manager builds his team. He's got young players like myself that like to play football. The style of play is also the way I like to play so that's what attracted me." 

Rovers boss Mark Cooper added: "Junior came into train with us earlier in the season. Richard Hughes our head of recruitment alerted me to him and Whitby allowed us to have a look at him and for him to come and play.

"He's lightning quick. He's not quite ready to start games, he needs some work but he's one that we'll add to a young group of players and he'll give us that pace to run in behind defences." 

The explosive attacked joined Whitby on a dual-registration with Spennymoor Town in November 2017, before making his move to the Seasiders permanent in summer 2018, following a trial with Blackpool.

Mondal left Middlesbrough in summer 2017 despite being one of the highest-rated talents at the club after playing a part in the club’s treble-winning Under-21 side of 2014/15, following a difficult string of injuries.

Mondal will wear the number 25 shirt for Forest Green.

The signing is subject to FA and EFL approval.

Watch Mondal's first interview as a Forest Green player here.