Luke McCormick has thanked Gasheads for their support on social media platform X after the Bristol Rovers midfielder's loan move to National League side Forest Green Rovers was officially confirmed.

Reports emerged on Friday morning that the 25-year-old was set for a loan switch to the National League leaders to the surprise of many considering the fact that he has played 19 games in League One so far this term.

There had been murmurs that the midfielder could be set for a loan exit this month but dropping down two divisions has certainly come as a surprise to many.

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Once the move was officially confirmed by both clubs, McCormick took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to write: "All the best for the rest of the season, more than enough in that changing room to have a strong 2nd half of the campaign! To the Gasheads, Thank you."

The 25-year-old has made a total of 25 appearances for Rovers this season, scoring three goals and registering one assist, and even captained the side for their FA Cup tie at Barnsley in November.

However, game time under new head coach Inigo Calderon has been limited since the Spaniard's arrival last month with McCormick an unused substitute in the Gas' last two matches at Cambridge United and Ipswich Town. The midfielder did start Calderon's first game in charge away at Stevenage and then had a cameo from the bench against Leyton Orient three days later.

That game against Orient could well prove to be McCormick's final game in a Rovers shirt with his contract in BS7 set to expire this summer.

The 25-year-old has made a total of 118 apearances for the Gas across two spells having initially joined on loan from Chelsea in the relegation campaign of 2020/21 before rejoining permanently upon the club's return to League One in summer 2022.

Forest Green are currently top of the National League with fellow Rovers loanee Jed Ward impressing at the Nailsworth outfit as Steve Cotterill's side push for an immediate return to the Football League after back-to-back relegations.

However, they do have competition in the promotion places with second place York City boasting two games in hand while being just one point behind Rovers. Additionally, Barnet are also just one point behind with Gateshead and Oldham Athletic five and eight points off the top respectively.

McCormick is the latest player to leave the Gas on loan this week after Bryant Bilongo's move to League Two side Harrogate Town was confirmed on Wednesday. Youngsters Kofi Shaw and Dan Ellison have also seen their respective loans at National League sides Yeovil Town and Aldershot Town extended for the remainder of the season while teenage striker Ollie Dewsbury has returned after a successful spell at Yate Town.

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