Forest Green Rovers have secured the services of right-back Liam Shephard from Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has signed a two-year deal at The New Lawn after being impressed by the ambition of the club.

Welsh-born Shephard came through Swansea City’s Academy before signing his first professional contract at the start of the 2013/14 season.

After three loan spells with Yeovil, where he was awarded Young Player of the Year in League One, Shephard joined Peterborough last summer.

Shephard started 23 League One games for the Posh last term and is hoping that experience will help the team this coming campaign.

“The manager rang me while I was on holiday and spoke to me about the ambition of the club and where they want to be this year, next year and the year after and it was a no-brainer,” he explained.

“It’s about playing games for me. There’s a few boys who have stepped down to join Forest Green this summer and hopefully we’re trying to get this club to go up with our experience of playing in the higher leagues.

“I think I can bring a bit of energy up and down the wing. It’s about defending first, making sure no crosses come in but I have that quality and I’ll be hoping to chip in with a few assists.”

Manager Mark Cooper had tried to sign the defender back in January following a return from injury but that coincided with a run in the team at London Road.

However, the deal was struck ahead of the team returning to pre-season training on Monday and Cooper believes he has addressed a hole in his squad with a high quality addition.

“It’s a really good signing for us,” said Cooper.

“We’ve had to be really patient. It’s no secret we’ve been after a quality right-back after Dale Bennett left us after a lot of good years of service and we needed to fill that void with a real quality player.

“Liam was a regular in Peterborough’s team last year, we tried to get him in January and nearly got there but through hard work we’ve managed to get him now.

“I think he knew how much we valued him and we think he is a really good footballer.

“He gets up and down the line, he can defend, he gets forward brilliantly and he’s got good quality in the final third of the pitch.”

The deal is subject to EFL and FA approval.

Meanwhile, forward Isaac Pearce has joined Forest Green after impressing on trial at the end of last season.

The 19-year-old was released by Fulham last season and has put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

Pearce, who can play as an attacking midfielder or striker, joined Fulham from Bristol Rovers in 2015 after a compensation package was agreed between the two clubs.

He went on to make more than 40 appearances for the under 18s and under 23s but is now looking to take this opportunity to prove himself in League football.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to what the season will bring for me,” he said.

“Being here on trial at the end of last season was a great experience. I didn’t get much game time with Fulham so I knew I had to come to Forest Green Rovers and make a statement.

“I feel like I did that very well and was just thankful that the manager saw the potential in me.

“I work hard on the pitch, on and off the ball. When I get the ball at my feet I’m confident to do a little dribble with it and the pass it off or have a shot.

“I just want to get as many minutes on the pitch, hopefully I will kick on, get a good pre-season under my belt and see where it takes me.”

Manager Mark Cooper added: “He left Fulham last season and asked if he could come and train with us. He is a Bristol boy and he came of his own accord, trained with us for a month and he impressed everyone here.

“He is a small lad but he has got brilliant ability.

“He is one that will supplement our squad and one that we are giving an opportunity to that we feel will help us in the long run.”