Watford send striker on season-long loan to Orient

Young striker Shaq Forde has joined League One side Leyton Orient on a season-long loan, a move that the player says was suggested a few weeks ago.

Forde has been an unused substitute in the last two first-team fixtures, but has only made one senior outing for the Hornets – coming on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes of the FA Cup tie at Leicester City in January 2022.

Last season he played National League football in a loan spell at York City, but this new move means Forde will be playing at League One level as Orient were promoted as League Two champions last season.

“The club approached my agent a few weeks ago, and I knew I wanted to come here,” Forde told the Orient club website.

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“The gaffer plays exciting football here, with a lot of pressing, and he sold the project that is going on here really well to me.

“I’ve had a couple of loan spells away from Watford already and they have been really good for my development. They’ve both been successful, and I’m hoping this loan can be too.”

The 19-year-old striker became the 10th summer signing for Richie Wellens when agreeing to move from Vicarage Road and could make his debut at Wycombe tomorrow night.

“I had a good spell at York last season, and I want to match, if not better what I did there,” said Forde.

“I can bring creativity, score goals, go forward well and help the team going forward, I’m really excited to get started.

“With the game tomorrow, I’ll be getting straight into things, which I think is good for me. I can’t wait.”

Forde had a successful loan spell at Kings Langley earlier in his career, and was Watford’s Young Player of the Season for the 2021/22 season.

Last season he joined York on loan in December 2022 and enjoyed a prolific spell in front of goal with nine strikes in 20 appearances.

“Shaq will bring us pace and power. He’s a strong lad even though he’s only 19,” said Orient boss Wellens.

“He had a great loan at York City last season, and Steve Foster speaks very highly of him as he has watched him on numerous occasions.

“He gives us a lot more attacking speed, and gives us more options.

“We’re confident he can bring us goals, and he brings that exuberance to the squad, which I think we have been lacking recently.”