Nottingham Forest’s incredible rise from relegation survivors to Champions League challengers has been the feel-good story of the 2024/25 Premier League season, one that even the most optimistic of Forest fans wouldn’t have dared to dream of. At the heart of this revolution are two key summer signings: Elliot Anderson from boyhood club Newcastle and Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina.
In total, the Tricky Trees signed ten players on permanent deals in the summer at a cost of around £90 million. LWOS have endeavoured to rank the ten players based on their impact at the City Ground this season.
Nottingham Forest Summer Signings Ranked: Who Has Made the Most Impact?
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Nikola Milenkovic
The imposing Serbian centre-half has been nothing short of a revelation in Forest’s backline, starting 30 of their 31 Premier League games as they have kept an extremely impressive 13 clean sheets, a tally matched only by Liverpool.
The £12 million paid to Fiorentina for the 27-year-old looks more and more like a bargain as the season progresses, with the 6’5” defender not only exceptional defensively and in aerial duels but a constant threat from set pieces. The Serbian international has managed 26 shots this season, scoring four goals, and even has two assists to his name.
Milenkovic has formed a formidable partnership with the highly talented Murillo, with the pair easily two of the Premier League’s very best centre-backs. Having a settled defence has been key to Forest’s success this term, a marked improvement from last campaign which saw manager Nuno Espirito Santo try a total of seven different central defenders.
2. Elliott Anderson
Highly regarded at boyhood club Newcastle, Anderson was reluctantly sold to Forest for a reported £35 million to ease Profit and Sustainability concerns and has since flourished at the City Ground. The 22-year-old has started 26 of Forest’s games, scoring once and recording six assists.
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Often utilised deep in midfield alongside skipper Ryan Yates in a 4-2-3-1 system, the England youth international has been highly impressive, recording the most tackles (72) of any Forest player and the third-most passes (963).
Anderson is one of a number of Forest’s players who could be in line for an England call-up in the near future and the 22-year-old will only get better.
3. Jota Silva
Although often forced to play second fiddle to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, Portuguese winger Silva has impressed when given the chance, and has appeared in 31 games in all competitions. As Forest struggled against Villa on April 6, Nuno turned to the Portuguese international to make an impact.
The winger came on at halftime and was arguably the club’s best player, scoring as they attempted to mount a comeback. He is a dynamic, skilful winger who could play a very useful part in the coming weeks as both Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi struggle with injury.
His best time in a Forest shirt may be ahead of the 25-year-old, but he remains a solid option.
4. Morato
Signed for £15 million from Benfica, Brazilian centre-half Morato has found himself in the unfortunate position of being stuck behind two incredible central defenders in the pecking order.
When Nuno has switched to a back three occasion, the 23-year-old impressed when utilised on the left of the trio, but has been reduced to just 5 league starts in his debut season at the City Ground. With summer interest likely to materialise for Murillo, there is every chance that his compatriot will feature far more regularly next year.
5. Ramon Sosa
Another player who has struggled to establish themselves in Forest’s starting line-up, 25-year-old Paraguayan Ramon Sosa has started just one Premier League game since his summer move from Argentine side Talleres.
The winger scored his first goal for the east Midlands side away at Brighton on September 22 but remains on the periphery at Forest.
6. Eric da Silva Moreira
At just 18 years old, da Silva Moreira is a player signed with the future in mind and has made just five appearances in all competitions this season.
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The German youth international is highly versatile, capable of playing as a centre-forward, winger and full-back, and looks to have a bright future. Signed for just £1.3 million from St Pauli, the teenager could yet prove to be a bargain.
7. Carlos Miguel
The tallest player in the Premier League at 6’9”, Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos Miguel has so far been utilised as a back-up, making his only appearances in three of Forest’s cup games.
The 26-year-old is seven years younger than current number one Matz Sels, who has been one of the Premier League’s standout ‘keepers, so his time may come.
8. Marko Stamenic, Tyler Bindon and David Carmo
The final three players on this list have all spent the 2024/25 season on loan away from the City Ground.
New Zealander Stamenic, 23, and Angolan international Carmo, 25, have both spent the campaign on loan at sister club Olympiacos.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Bindon has spent the season at League One side Reading.
