Wealdstone midfielder Kieron Forbes has completed a move to Blue Square Premier side Forest Green Rovers.

Forbes has produced consistently outstanding performances since he signed from Watford two seasons ago and his form attracted the interest of a number of professional clubs.

David Hockaday, Rovers’ manager, has previous links with the player and was Watford’s Under-18 coach when Forbes was a member of the Hornets’ academy set-up.

Forbes, 20, recently completed 100 appearances for Wealdstone and the deal includes an undisclosed fee and sell-on clause between the two clubs. He becomes the latest player to progress from the Stones’ talent development conveyor belt following the likes of Jermaine Beckford, Graeme Montgomery and Carl Martin who have moved to the full time ranks in recent years.

Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett said: ‘I am disappointed to lose him because not only is he a good player but he is also a genuine character who has been an important part of our squad for the last two years.

“This has been a very difficult situation that has been going on for about six weeks. Kieron was coming to the end of his contract and was desperate for the chance to go back to full time football and I felt we could not stand in his way. As with all our young players, we try to help their careers and give them the platform to go on to bigger and better things and purely on Kieron’s attitude and commitment he has given us over the last two and a half seasons, he deserves this opportunity.

“We are all sad to see him go but he has been an absolute pleasure to work with and we will all have very positive memories of his time with us. We all wish him every success and look forward to seeing him in the future.”

Stones chairman Howard Krais said: ‘We certainly didn’t want to see Kieron leave but we believe it is right we do not stand in the way of young players who have a chance to make their way in the full time game. Moves like this encourage other young players who want to get back into the pro game to come to Wealdstone and I’m sure that Kieron won’t be the last Wealdstone player to go full time.”