WANDERERS have snatched Forest Green striker Christian Doidge in a late deadline day swoop.

The Welsh striker, who has scored four goals in seven appearances this season, arrives on loan with a view to a permanent move in January.

Sources in Gloucestershire suggest the fee could approach £1million.

Doidge – a former Wales basketball international – has scored 40 goals in his last two seasons as Rovers climbed out of the Conference and into the Football League.

He has been linked with Sunderland and Cardiff City in the past but after seeing one bid rejected for the 26-year-old this week, Wanderers were able to get a deal over the line with less than half an hour to deadline.

Phil Parkinson said: "He’s a player who came into league football quite late and has met every challenge put in front of him.

"He’s someone who fits our profile of what we want in a player and he has the hunger and desire to be the best he can.

“Ken and Lee have worked very hard behind the scenes over a number of weeks to make this deal happen.

"It’s never easy to sign strikers as clubs are reluctant to let them go but their persistence has paid off and we are delighted."

Doidge’s arrival also allows Connor Hall to leave the club on loan, with the 20-year-old joining Accrington Stanley until January.

The youngster was top scorer for David Lee’s Under-23s in the their title-winning campaign last year and made his first senior start for Bolton in the Carabao Cup against Leeds United.

"Connor has outgrown the Under-23s and the next step is for him to play league football," added Parkinson.

"The plan was always for him to go out on loan and he had several options.

"It’s great that he’s at Accrington, we wish him all the best and are looking forward to monitoring his progress."