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A deal between the two clubs was struck late last night after talks between Rovers' commercial manager Frank McArdle and Repton-born Bristol manager Richard Osman.

Loss is due to meet Osman on Monday to fix personal terms – with the move marking the end of the youngster's crusade to get back into league football after being released by Derby County at the end of the last season.

Loss, who had spells at Plymouth Argyle and Norwich City before joining the Rams, has had trials with a string of league clubs this season, including Sheffield United, Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers.

He has been training with Bristol over the last fortnight and has appeared in two reserve games.

Subject to the deal going through, Rovers will receive "a small four-figure fee" for the Derby-based 21-year-old plus further sums based on appearances and any future sell-on.

McArdle said: "The clubs have agreed terms. It's now a matter of personal terms being agreed between Colin and Russell Osman.

"He has been eager to get back into the league game and the small fee reflects our willingness to help him back into the big time. The club has made it perfectly obvious that it will assist anyone to better themselves whilst playing for Gresley and this is another example of that."

McArdle praised the reserve team manager Alan Titterton for his part in the deal. He said: "It was Alan who brought Colin to the club in the first place and we used our local connection with Russell Osman through Alan to make the deal possible."

Gresley boss Steve Dolby said: "I'm very pleased for Colin. He has done very well for Rovers throughout the season and there's been a lot of interest in him. We would never stand in anyone's way and it shows players are going to get noticed. I hope he takes his chance. A club like Bristol has not got a lot of professionals and he will be higher up the pecking order than he would be at other clubs.

"It's up to him now to work hard and make the best of the opportunity. I hope he realizes that this is a good chance for him and he has got to take it with both hands and not let it slip by. Colin is leaving with the best wishes of everyone at the club. He came to us aiming to get back into league football and we said we would put him in the shop window. We have fulfilled our part of the bargain."

Dolby said he did not believe Loss's departure would affect his team's chances of surviving their Beazer Premier relegation battle.

He said: "Obviously he's a player we've been using regularly and his departure reduces the squad. But our good run of results recently has been achieved without him in the team due to suspension and I'm sure we will be able to cope."