The pair will now move up to Head Coach Mark Cooper’s first team squad after agreeing two-year deals.

Highly-rated attacker Covil,17, got his first taste of senior football with Rovers aged just 16, scoring in the penalty shoot-out victory against Coventry City in the Leasing.Com Trophy. The former Southampton teenager also featured on the bench in Rovers’ shock Carabao Cup win at Charlton Athletic and played in league matches against Exeter City and Crawley Town.

Bunker also joined Rovers from Southampton and the midfielder soon caught the eye of Head Coach Mark Cooper, who handed the 17 year-old a start in the Leasing.Com Trophy defeat at Walsall.

Commenting on the duo’s signings, Academy Manager Hannah Dingley expressed her pleasure at seeing both youngsters commit their futures to the club, saying: “I’m so proud of them. This is what the Academy system is all about and we’re lucky at Forest Green to have that link with the first team. Head Coach Mark Cooper and Director of Football Richard Hughes have been absolutely fantastic in terms of showing an interest, watching games and the boys have taken that opportunity to kick-on and sign their first professional deals.”   

Covil revealed his delight at signing his deal, he said: “To sign a contract means the world and I can’t wait to get going and repay the trust the gaffer (Mark Cooper) has in me. I just need to keep proving to him and the fans that I’m good enough to play here.”

Bunker expressed his pleasure at agreeing terms on his first professional contract, he said: “I had a good year with the Academy. I’m buzzing to sign and now have two years to make an impression.”