Forest Green Rovers will pack a punch up front next season after securing the services of striker Matty Stevens from Peterborough United.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at The New Lawn for an undisclosed fee from the League One side.

The former amateur boxer joined the Posh from Barnet back in 2016 on a three-year deal but found game time hard to come by, making just four appearances, but had a prolific goal scoring record during his loan spells away from London Road.

Stevens will join up with his new teammates on Monday before the season gets under way against Oldham Athletic at The New Lawn on Saturday, August 3, having underwent his medical on Friday night and he is excited by the prospect of what he can achieve this season.

Matty Stevens said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I’m so happy to be here, and I know it’s easy to say, but as soon as I heard about it, it was something I wanted to do straight away.

“There’s a young group with big expectations and I’m delighted to be here. I saw how the club did well last year, finishing fifth and unfortunately losing in the play-offs, but I think they’ve got a really good chance this year and coming here to play with a young squad is going to benefit me.

“Promotion is the aim, 100%. It’s the aim for any player and I can’t wait to get started now.

“Anything the manager asks me to do I’ll be ready to get out there and prove it and show what I can do.

“I’m not the prettiest on the ball or chuck in tricks, but I’ve got a knack of being in the right place at the right time in the box and I like to think I take my chances. I’m a finisher, a goalscorer.”

Stevens, whose career started in boxing where he won four national amateur boxing championships and finished undefeated, joined Barnet as a scholar in 2014 and it wasn’t long before he was breaking into the first team, making his debut against Alfreton Town in September the same year.

He gained experience at League Two level with the Bees scoring his first goal against AFC Wimbledon.

Peterborough saw off competition to land his signature in 2016 but was sent on loan to Cambridge City and Sligo Rovers that season.

In August 2017, Stevens joined Kettering Town where he netted 25 league goals at over a goal every two games as he finished their top scorer for the season.

Last year he started well with Posh, finishing pre-season as their top scorer but again went out on loan to Slough Town, scoring six goals in nine league appearances before being recalled in December.

He has been handed the number nine shirt and will take part in his first training session on Monday.

Matty, along with the other players in the squad, are available now for player sponsorship – email hospitality@fgr.co.uk to find out more.

The signing is subject to FA and EFL approval.