Nottingham Forest defender Nicholas Ioannou has completed a loan move to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.
Nicholas Ioannou Completes Loan Move to Greek Side
Playing Time Limited Under Chris Hughton
Ioannou departs on loan 🤝
#NFFC can confirm that Nicholas Ioannou has left the club to join Greek side @ARIS__FC on loan until the end of the season.The club would like to wish Nicholas the best of luck for the rest of the 2020-21 season.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 8, 2021
Forest defender Nicholas Ioannou will join Aris Thessaloniki on loan until the end of the season, the club has confirmed.
In a brief statement the Reds said: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Nicholas Ioannou has left the club to join Greek side Aris Thessaloniki on loan until the end of the season.
“The club would like to wish Nicholas the best of luck for the rest of the 2020-21 season.”
Ioannou has found playing time rather limited since arriving as one of 14 players in the summer.
Joining from Cypriot side APOEL, the former Manchester United youth player’s most recent appearance was a 1-1 draw at Luton Town – when he was sent-off.
Forest boss Chris Hughton has previously spoken about the intention to send Ioannou out on-loan.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live ahead of Forest’s FA Cup tie with Cardiff City, and prior to the confirmed loan move, Hughton said: “It’s never for me to speak about individual clubs, but what I can say is we have spoken to Ioannou about the possibility of going out – going out on loan and playing games.
“That is something we are actively trying to do, but it’s not my responsibility to name clubs.”
The loan move allows Ioannou to continue getting regular playing time, something that was looking ever so unlikely with Yuri Riberio‘s permanent adoption of the left-back position.
Huddersfield Town were reportedly interested, as per Paul Taylor of The Athletic, but the Reds have opted against sending one of their own to another Championship rival.
One In One Out
The loan move is Forest’s second move so far in the January transfer window.
Earlier today (January 8) the Reds confirmed an extended loan deal for winger Anthony Knockaert.
The 29-year-old’s previous loan deal, until January, gave Nottingham Forest the option to buy. But the Reds have opted to extend the Fulham wideman’s temporary stay at the City Ground.
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