Farnham Town striker Owen Dean has joined National League side Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee.

The Glovers met a release clause in Dean’s contract to trigger the deal, with Farnham retaining a considerable sell-on clause across Dean’s future transfers.

Farnham offered Dean improved terms to stay at the club, but the striker decided to take the opportunity to move up the pyramid and join a full-time club to further his development.

The 22-year-old has been at the heart of Farnham’s back-to-back-to-back promotions over the past three seasons from the Combined Counties Premier Division South to the National League South.

Over the past five years, Dean has made 214 appearances for Farnham Town and tallied 133 goal contributions, including 91 goals.

Dean scored in his final game for the club in last Saturday’s 3-2 win at home to Weston-super-Mare in the National League South.

“I think I speak for everyone associated with Farnham Town when I say it’s a very sad day to see Owen Dean leave the club,” said Farnham Town chairman Harry Hugo.

“During my time at Farnham, Owen has been one of very few constants over those four and a bit years. He’s the only player left standing that was here before I arrived, and the impact he has had on and off the field is truly immeasurable.

“Every club dreams of having ‘one of their own’ to cheer on on Saturday’s, and second to that is the cliche wish of having a 20-goal striker. We were one of the lucky clubs that had a player that embodied both of those.

“Over the past four years, Owen’s goals have helped fire us up the divisions, and he seems to have gotten better with each new level he plays at.

“He’s been around with us so long that it’s still so easy to forget he’s only 22.

“He’s had a brilliant Farnham Town career and, truthfully, there have been a few times over these past four years where I had come to terms with the idea of Owen leaving us because he is so talented, and he had been scoring goals for fun at increasingly difficult levels.

“As each summer would come and go, I would count my blessings that we had survived another off season without losing our crown jewel.

“I want to make it very clear we could not have done any more to convince Owen to stay.

“We had been speaking about a new contract for a little while and I believe it was very close prior to Yeovil Town coming to the table, at which stage it was always an uphill battle to convince him to stay.

“The chance for Owen to now test himself at a new club, in a new environment, training every day as a professional footballer is something he couldn’t pass up, which I totally understand.

“In our dealings with Owen over the years, we made it clear to him that we saw that future for him.

“We would’ve loved for it to be with Farnham later down the line, but when the opportunity came knocking, he’s taken the chance to bet on himself – and we wish him all the best in doing so.

“Personally, I want to thank Owen for everything he’s done for Farnham Town.

“Putting a pin in his on-field impact, Owen has been one of the faces of the football club off it.

“He always gave his time to our young fans to take photos, do autographs, and has been very supportive of our efforts in the local community.

“On the field, the numbers speak for themselves. Winning the club golden boot award in each of his four full seasons in the senior team here, more than 200 appearances, he’s a legend here, a true one of one.

“Every story has it’s ending, and while we weren’t ready for it to end this soon, everyone associated with Farnham Town will be watching Owen’s career with fondness and hope that he continues to kick on.

“He and his family are woven into the fabric of the football club and the door will always be open to them.”

Dean said: “I would like to emphasise how grateful and thankful I am for my time at Farnham Town, and to everyone involved behind the scenes who have continued to believe in me.

“We have shared some amazing moments over the years and now it is time for me to take the next step in my career.

“I’d also like to thank Paul Johnson, Jimmy Hibbert and all the staff at Farnham for the support they have given me over the past four years.

“They’ve helped shape me into the player and person I am today and I would not have had the success or be where I am now without them.

“Equally, I’d like to thank Harry, Frankie Hobbs and the guys for all the love and support they’ve given me since they’ve been involved at the club, too.

“I never could have imagined the journey this club has been on in recent years when I first broke through, and to have played a part in that is very special to me.

“On a more personal level, I would also like to thank the fans for their constant love and support they have shown me, and if I could come and shake everyone’s hand individually I would.

“This club holds a major place in my heart and will continue to do so forever.

“I am so proud of the success we’ve had and I fully believe in what Farnham are trying to do and where they’re going.

“I’ll be watching on from afar and wish everyone at the club the best.”