PROLIFIC non-league midfielder Dayle Grubb has joined League Two Forest Green from Weston-super-Mare for an undisclosed fee.

He has netted 29 goals since the turn of 2017, a record shared only by England forward Harry Kane and FGR’s very own Christian Doidge.

The 26-year-old left-side player has joined on an 18-month contract which will come into effect on January 1, subject to a medical and league approval, with Grubb continuing to play for Marc McGregor's National League South outfit until then.

Currently a sports teacher at Oldmixon Primary School, Grubb joins Rovers with a goal scoring record that is not bettered by anyone in the top six tiers of English football for the calendar year, not including penalties.

Having played in non-league football with Weston all of his career, Grubb is now keen to test his talent at a higher level and despite interest in the summer from several clubs, he knew that Forest Green as where he wanted to ply his trade professionally for the first time.

“I’m delighted to have signed. It’s a step I’ve wanted to take for a while,” said Grubb, who is not fazed by the prospect of moving up two divisions.

“I’ve really enjoyed where I have been playing but I feel like I need to take that next step higher up the pyramid.

“I have heard a lot of good things about Forest Green and it’s somewhere I can see myself playing football.

“League football will obviously be a lot different, a lot quicker, a lot tougher, but I believe I can do it.

“I won’t know until I take that step but I am confident I can do well.”

Manager Mark Cooper is also assured that Grubb has the technical ability to step up having tracked him for a while and been impressed by him during a pre-season friendly between the two clubs in the summer. He also scored against Cheltenham Town in a pre-season friendly in July.

“We think he is one that can certainly come into our squad and help us at the top end of the pitch,” Cooper said.

“He’s got great ability, he can go past people and score. The more of those you have got in the team, the more chance you have got of winning games.

“You look at his goal record compared to anyone else we have signed, he has got a fantastic goal record for someone who is not really a striker - he’s certainly one I expect to chip in with goals.”

Grubb will be greeted by a familiar face when he joins the club, having played with Forest Green Rovers Academy Manager Scott Bartlett when coming through the youth setup at Weston and playing under him last season.

That should make the switch easier and Grubb also thinks FGR’s distinct style of play will suit him well.

“Weston are similar, they like to pass it out, but Forest Green is that next level and I’ve heard a lot of good things about the way they play,” he added.

“I do know Scott well, he was with me at Weston, and hopefully that will help to make it a smoother transition.

“He was good to me when he was at Weston and he always had confidence in me that I could make that step and I think he was quite influential in putting my name forward, so hopefully I can repay that.”