FOREST Green have signed striker Shawn McCouslky on a two-and-a-half year deal from Bristol City.

The forward has spent this season on loan at League One Southend United where he scored four goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.

He spent last season on loan at Newport County where he enjoyed a prolific spell, scoring 11 times during the 2017-18 season where he averaged a goal every 143 minutes.

The 21-year-old scored at the New Lawn in October 2017 as Newport ran out 4-0 winners.

He also netted in Newport's famous FA Cup third round triumph over Leeds United.

McCoulsky has had previous loan spells at Weston-super-Mare, Torquay United and Bath City.

On joining Rovers, he said: "Having played against Forest Green last year, their style of football stood out and it's a club moving in the right direction, a very ambitious club that are doing well in the league and I wanted to be a part of it.

"The two-and-a-half-year deal gives me that security and a chance to knuckle down.

"I would say my strengths are running in behind with pace, I am a fast player, and I love scoring goals and that is one of the main qualities I would like to bring here to get the club promoted."

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper added: "He is a player I have monitored for a couple of years having seen him play for Bath City and his pace excited me."

"He has scored goals wherever he has been and the more goals you have got in your team, the better.

"I am sure he will be a brilliant acquisition for us. It's probably not the big name everyone would crave but you're not guaranteed anything because of a name.

"We have a different way of recruiting and he is another young one that we think will add to what we have got."