Crawley Town have completed the deadline-beating signing of striker Rhys Murphy.

Murphy has joined Reds on loan from Forest Green Rovers until May 31 and goes straight into the squad for Saturday's home game against Stevenage in League Two.

It will be the Shoreham-born striker's second loan spell with Crawley having scored nine goals in 16 appearances last season having been borrowed from Oldham Athletic.

Reds boss Dermot Drummy was keen to bring in extra firepower before the window shut to take some of the responsibility off the shoulders of 15-goal top scorer James Collins.

Drummy previously worked with Murphy, 26, during his time as a coach at Arsenal's academy.

He said: “For us and Rhys this move should work out very well.

“I know his qualities from my time working with Arsenal. He’s a goalscorer – as he proved when he was here last season when he was very popular with our supporters.

“He is looking to play more regular games and with the busy programme we’ve got coming up he will get that opportunity. I’m looking forward to him making a big impression with us for the rest of this season.”

Murphy joined Forest Green from Oldham in the summer and scored seven goals in 17 appearances before being sent on loan to fellow National League side York City.