FOREST GREEN have landed highly-rated striker Luke James on a two-year deal from League One outfit Peterborough United.

James,22, who spent a season-long loan at Bristol Rovers last term, had a year to run on his contract at the Posh, but boss Mark Cooper moved quickly to land the versatile forward on a free. 

He will fit Rovers’ DNA and can play off the shoulder of a striker at the top end of the pitch and also play high in a three, either on the left or right- hand side.

And Cooper is hoping Rovers are the club that can help him rediscover his goal touch, he said: “We needed another forward who could play in a variety of positions who could add to our options.  Luke scored lots of goals at Hartlepool – and we followed his career as we always knew he was a clever player.  A move to Forest Green Rovers for Luke was about joining an exciting, progressive club where he can get back into a goal scoring mentality.”

His track record makes impressive reading. Born in Northumberland, James cut his football teeth at Hartlepool – scoring 19 times in 90 games. His early promise saw him honoured at the Football League Awards when he was named League One’s Apprentice of the Year.

He joined Peterborough United for a reported £500,000 in 2014, scoring once in 32 league appearances with the London Road outfit.

James subsequently spent time on loan at Bradford City, where he played in nine league games, before returning to his former club Hartlepool United where he remained on loan until the end of the 2016 campaign.