Braintree Town have lost their most prolific striker.

Ben Wright has left the Iron to join Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Forest Green Rovers on a two-year deal just days after collecting the Golden Boot in Braintree’s end-of-season awards.

The 23-year-old picked up the accolade after leading the Iron’s scoring chart with 18 goals in all competitions during their inaugural season in non-league football’s top flight.

Following his successful campaign, Braintree had offered a new deal to Wright earlier this month, but compensation will be due to Braintree Town from Forest Green after his move.

The two clubs can either reach agreement on the payment of a compensation fee or, if they are unable to, then the fee to be paid by the new club will be settled by an FA tribunal.

Wright said Forest Green's was one of a number of offers he had been made to move away from Braintree.

The move is the latest in a nomadic career for Wright.

His prolific goal-scoring as a young striker under current Braintree boss Alan Devonshire at Hampton and Richmond Borough attracted interest from Football League clubs, including Premier League side Fulham.

Despite passing a medical at Craven Cottage, Wright opted for a £57,000 move to Peterborough United, but he was quickly put out on loan and played for seven clubs over the next 18 months.

However, he linked up with Devonshire at Braintree again and his goals last year caught the gaze of Forest Green manager Dave Hockaday, who is targeting a promotion push next year.

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