The 19-year-old moves to the Club on a temporary deal until January 2026 from the League Two outfit in pursuit of the invaluable experience that consistent senior football offers.

In the early stages of the 2023/24 campaign, the teenager made his senior debut as a late substitute in an opening day defeat to Shrewsbury Town.  In doing so, he became the youngest player to represent the Robins in the EFL, aged just 16 years and 319 days old.

Despite not featuring in the league for the Robins this season, the versatile forward has picked up minutes in the EFL trophy . He scored his only professional goal to date in that competition, netting aganist West Ham Under 21s last season.

King is highly-rated by his club and country and has previously represented England at Under 18 level. Our newest Rebel was selected for the Three Lions squad in October 2023 and played against Morocco and South Korea youth side’s, alongside the likes of Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong and Sunderland’s Chris Rigg.

He signed his first professional contract in January 2024 before being  named Cheltenham’s Young Player of the Season award at the end of the campaign. Alongside his recognition at club level, Tom was also nominated for the League One Apprentice of the Season.

On joining the club, he said: “I’m looking forward to getting some experience of mens football and developing myself as a player by getting as many minutes as possible”.

Reds boss Adam Hinshelwood thinks the youngster will bring something different to his attacking options: “He’s a really exciting livewire, he’s quick but technically very good – I think we’ve got some pace and power already but maybe not the trickery, and Tom brings that”.

Tom will wear the number 25 shirt and is available for tomorrow afternoon’s match against Hampton & Richmond Borough at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

Welcome to Worthing, Tom!