Former Southampton and Celtic striker could make League One transfer after Portsmouth trial

Former Southampton striker Jonathan Afolabi could be back in English football soon with Forest Green Rovers.

The 22-year-old Irish striker has recently had a trial with Saints' fierce south coast rivals Portsmouth, with Afolabi scoring for Danny Cowley's side in a friendly against Qatar SC during their pre-season training camp in Murcia, Spain. He scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win for the Blues, but despite this, a move to Pompey has not materialised.

And now, Afolabi could join the Blues' League One rivals Forest Green, with Gloucestershire Live reporting that he has been on trial with the newly-promoted side as they prepare for their first season in the third tier, following promotion from League Two last term.

Afolabi, who started his career at Southampton but never made a first team appearance for the Saints, has spent time in Scotland in recent years after moving to Celtic in 2019. However, he did not play once for the Scottish giants following the move, with the striker instead going out on loan on four separate occasions. The first two spells away were at Dunfermline and Dundee, before he then had stints with Ayr and Airdrieonians, who he scored three times for in 15 appearances.

He left Celtic this summer after his contract was not renewed and he has spent time on trial with Pompey and now Forest Green. Since his trial at Portsmouth, the Blues have signed Joe Pigott on loan from League One rivals Ipswich Town, while Cowley is also understood to be closing in on the signing of Colby Bishop from Accrington Stanley.

But Afolabi could still line up at Fratton Park next season, albeit in an opposing shirt, should Forest Green choose to make his stay into a permanent one as Ian Burchnall prepares the club for