Chester FC target Matty Taylor has signed for Conference Premier new boys Bristol Rovers.

Taylor had a hugely successful loan spell at the Swansway Chester Stadium last season, scoring six times in seven games.

He had been due to remain with the Blues until the end of the season but his parent club Forest Green Rovers recalled him.

His contract with Forest Green expires at the end of the month and the striker turned down the offer of a new deal.

Blues boss Steve Burr knows Taylor well from his role as England C assistant manager and was understood to be very keen to bring him back to the club on a permanent basis.

But the 24-year-old will be making the switch to the Memorial Stadium when his contract at Forest Green expires, with the Gas claiming he turned down the Blues, Oxford United, Mansfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers.

Bristol boss Darrell Clarke said: "There have been a lot of clubs after him, but he chose us for the right reasons and he ticked the right boxes for me."

Although Burr would not confirm he wanted to sign Taylor, the manager did say he had identified a number of potential forwards and will now step up his attempts to bring in another of his targets.