Shaq Forde

Career Watford Forde started his career with Watford in 2012. He made his first-team debut on 8 January 2022 aged 17 as a 74th-minute substitute in a 4–1 away defeat to Leicester City in the 2021–22 FA Cup third round.

In February 2022, Forde joined Southern League Premier Division South club Kings Langley on a one-month loan. He made his debut on 26 February in a 4–0 home win over Wimborne Town in the league, in which he scored a goal 10 minutes into the match, won a penalty kick and recorded an assist. before Forde was recalled by Watford on 1 April to join first-team training, having scored two goals in three appearances for Kings Langley. before signing a professional contract with the club in July.

Forde joined National League club York City on 28 December 2022 on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season. He scored in the 90th minute of his debut on 2 January 2023 with a shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal as York drew 2–2 away to Gateshead, after entering the match as a 66th-minute substitute. Five days later, on his first start for the team, he scored a hat trick, helping York City to a 4–1 home win over Maidstone United. He had a successful spell at York City, scoring nine goals in 20 appearance.

On 14 August 2023, Forde joined League One club Leyton Orient on a season-long loan deal. On 26 August 2023, his second appearance for the club, Forde scored a first senior English Football League goal as he opened the scoring in a 2–0 victory over Cambridge United.

Bristol Rovers On 30 August 2024, Forde signed for League One club Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee on an initial three-year deal. On 5 October 2024, he scored his first goal for the club, equalising in an eventual 3–1 victory over Burton Albion. In October 2024, Forde was racially abused on social media following a match. Ahead of the club's following league match, fan podcast GasCast set up a crowdfunder to purchase two flags to go on display at the club's Memorial Stadium representing fans' commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Following a disappointing first season that ended in relegation, Forde suffered a hamstring injury in the club's penultimate pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025–26 season, expected to miss the first twelve weeks of the season. On 22 November 2025, following a 1–0 loss to Cheltenham Town, a seventh consecutive league defeat that left the Gas 20th in League Two, Forde and teammate Ruel Sotiriou's intensity in training were criticised by manager Darrell Clarke following the pair's omission from the matchday squad. On 26 December 2025, with Rovers leading 2–0, Forde received a third sending off for the club for a second bookable offence with his side going on to lose 3–2. Following the match, new manager Steve Evans labelled Forde's decision to make the second challenge as 'atrocious'. His form under Evans improved over the second-half of the season, becoming a key player in the club's impressive run of form, often playing in a more central role than he had previously.

In July 2026, the club reportedly rejected a 'substantial six-figure fee' for Forde with the manager viewing him as an essential part of the team for the coming season.

Style of play Forde plays as a forward and in March 2022 described himself as being "creative, powerful and always looking to go forwards".

Career statistics

Honours Individual Watford Young Player of the Season: 2021–22