Falcons have completed a transfer coup by hijacking Lakeside's bid to sign Charlton Rovers striker Luke Cacchioli to become the latest in a season of above-and-beyond transfer announcements.

Cacchioli, 29, has penned a three-year contract with the Birds in what is understood to be for a club-record fee after Club Chairman Martin Gulliver once again opened his cheque book to back recently appointed Manager Richard Woodley in the transfer market.

Cacchioli was in the final year of his contract at Charlton Rovers having joined the Pride of Shipton from Minety FC in the summer of 2010.

The forward scored a total of 43 goals in 28 appearances for Rovers last season, having notched 26 goals in 31 appearances during the 2015/16 campaign.

Fellow Gloucestershire Northern Senior Division 2 competitors Lakeside FC had been close to a reported deal having held a long term interest. But Luke Cacchioli, brother of club legend Tony, has joined Falcons instead, becoming the club's fifth addition of the campaign.

When the news broke of the pigeons interest in the striker, the excitement was palpable. Club Captain, Tom Dyer, was on international duty and he immediately texted Woodley. Was it true, he asked of the manager?

“I told him: ‘Yes, we are signing Luke Cacchioli,’” Woodley said. “Tom said: ‘Wow, fantastic player.’ "That is the impact he has had on the changing room because all the players respect him. They’ve now seen how he is – very warm, very friendly – and it’s fantastic. He comes with a proven goal scoring pedigree having notched 107 goals in his last 119 appearances over the last 5 years - his record speaks for itself.” enthused a manager delighted with this addition.

With the transfer paperwork completed, Cacchioli is expected to join up immediately with first team squad alongside former Rovers team mate Richard Gamble and brother Tony ahead of the weekends trip to Lydney Town Reserves.