FOREST Green boss Dave Hockaday has pulled off a major transfer coup by swooping for Newport County star Chris Todd.

A dominant central defender, Todd, 29, played more than 60 games for hometown club Swansea City before moving to the southwest for spells with Exeter City and Torquay United, helping the Gulls to promotion back into the Football League via the play-offs.

Todd, who agreed a two-year deal, feels excited by the challenge ahead.

He said: "I parted company with Newport on good terms, but I am now excited by the challenge of helping Forest Green improve on last season - and with the talent in the squad - and with a few more experienced additions we will aim for a halfway finish or possibly sneak into a play-off position."

With Rovers looking for a new captain following Luke Jones’ departure to Kidderminster, Todd is seen as an early season favourite to win the captain’s armband.

"I captained Exeter and was vice captain at Newport, so I would love the job," he revealed.

Hockaday is delighted to add the much admired centre-back to his evolving squad that saw the former Watford coach also agree fresh terms with Scott Bartlett, Wayne Turk and Callum Henry.

"Chris Todd is a warrior and leader and major coup for this club.

"I am delighted to have such an experienced player on board to help my talented bunch of young players."

Todd has also shown incredible fighting spirit off the field, having fought back to re-start his football career after a battle with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2007, writing a blog about the experience for the BBC.

"Thankfully I am in remission now and I feel ten years younger, it puts everything into perspective and I live every day to the max now."