LONDON, Teenage forward Shaqai Forde, whose father Fabian played for Barbados, has joined English fifth-tier National League side York City on loan from Championship outfit Watford until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old, who becomes the first signing for new Minstermen manager David Webb, has been a regular for the Hornets’ youth teams and made his senior debut against Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup last season.
On capturing Forde, Webb said: “Shaq is a highly rated prospect at Watford.
“As well as being a standout performer at the Under-23 level, another part of the attraction to us is that he trains regularly with the first team and has had exposure to senior football. He will be a great addition to our squad and adds more quality to our front line.”
“He can play as an 11, seven, 10, or a nine, which gives us different options in attack,” added Webb
Forde signed his first professional contract with Watford before the start of this season, having impressed for the club’s Under-23s and Under-18s sides.
He won Watford’s young player of the season award for his performances last term.
The forward is making his second loan move away from the Hornets, having previously scored two goals and registered an assist in just three appearances for Southern League Premier Division outfit Kings Langley in 2021/22.
Webb, who succeeded John Askey as the club’s boss earlier this month, will have Forde available for selection when the Minstermen, currently in 16th place, take on struggling Gateshead on Monday.
Forde’s father, now 41, played twice for Barbados in the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games. In September of the following year, he scored on his debut for the Barbados Under-23s in a 4-1 defeat to Guyana Under-23s in a qualifier for the 2004 Olympic Games.
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