Nottingham Forest’s shrewd recruitment has been a defining aspect of the club’s remarkable rise from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls, as they have utilised every available transfer window to add more quality to the team. Cut-price deals for stars such as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Matz Sels, who cost around £5 million each, have helped Nuno Espirito Santo’s side be the Premier League’s most impressive underdogs.
The Tricky Trees currently have ten players out on loan, and the club will be hoping some of them will have an impact on the first team in the near future. Here is a roundup of how those players have been getting on.
Nottingham Forest Loan Round-Up
Andrew Omobamidele, Strasbourg
Irish international defender Andrew Omobamidele made the temporary switch to French side Strasbourg in the January transfer window, and has endured an injury-hit loan spell so far. The 22-year-old has only managed to make six appearances for Liam Rosenior’s side after an Achilles injury ruled him out for over a month.
Omobamidele joined Forest in the summer of 2023 and has made 15 appearances for the club. However, the outstanding quality that the Tricky Trees now boast in defence will likely see the Irishman moved on in the summer, either on loan or permanently.
Tyler Bindon, Reading
Hailed as “special” by Reading manager Noel Hunt, 20-year-old Tyler Bindon is arguably the hottest prospect among Forest’s loanees. The 6’3” New Zealand international, who already has 15 international caps, has started 40 games in League One for Reading this season as The Royals have pushed for a promotion place.
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Bindon was signed from Reading on a three-year deal in the January transfer window and was loaned back to his old team for the remainder of the term. The 20-year-old has displayed significant potential, playing a key role in a defence that have kept 12 clean sheets and even captaining the side in the FA Cup, showing rare leadership quality for such a young player.
Matt Turner, Crystal Palace
USMNT international goalkeeper Matt Turner has had a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, failing to establish himself on loan at Crystal Palace, where he has been kept out of the team by former Forest ‘keeper Dean Henderson. The 30-year-old joined the Tricky Trees in the summer of 2023, making 20 appearances in his debut season.
Shaky form and a tendency for errors make Turner a far less attractive option for Nuno than current number-one Matz Sels, who has been one of the Premier League’s standout goalkeepers, and the American will likely be sold in the summer.
David Carmo, Olympiakos
Towering 25-year-old defender David Carmo is next on the list, with the Angolan international currently plying his trade at Forest’s sister club Olympiakos, where he has made 34 appearances this season.
Read More: Forest’s “Star Player” a Target for Premier League Giants
The 6’5” centre-back signed a five-year deal at the City Ground last summer and has yet to make an appearance for Forest. The left-footed defender could be an interesting addition to Nuno’s squad for next season, but a decision will need to be made on whether he can step up to the level or should be moved on permanently.
Lewis O’Brien, Swansea
It has never quite worked out for Lewis O’Brien since his summer 2022 move to Forest, with the 26-year-old now into the fourth loan spell of his time at the club. The midfielder’s future appears to be elsewhere, most likely in the Championship.
Marko Stamenic, Olympiakos
Another picked up on a long-term contract last summer, 23-year-old Marko Stamenic has spent this season on loan at Olympiakos, making 17 appearances in all competitions. The New Zealand international is another who will need to be assessed in the summer, but may need the experience offered by another loan spell before he is considered for the first team.
Emmanuel Dennis, Blackburn
Emmanuel Dennis has had a torrid time in the East Midlands following his £10 million move in the summer of 2022 from Watford. The 27-year-old striker has made just 25 appearances for Forest, all in the 2022/23 campaign, and has spent the rest of his tenure away from the City Ground. He will likely be moved on in the summer.
Omar Richards, Rio Ave
Another 2022 summer signing who has failed to make an impact at the City Ground, 27-year-old Omar Richards is in his second loan spell away from the club, plying his trade at Portuguese side Rio Ave. The former Bayern Munich player, who played for England at U21 level, is yet to make an appearance for Forest and will be moved on.
Jonathan Panzo, Rio Ave
Another centre-half currently on loan from Forest is 24-year-old Panzo, whose contract expires in the summer and is unlikely to be extended. The former England youth international has made just one appearance for the Tricky Trees, and has spent three consecutive seasons out on loan.
Josh Bowler, Luton Town
Now into the fifth loan spell of his Forest career, 26-year-old Josh Bowler is another disappointing signing of the 2022 summer. The winger appears far better suited to Championship football, where he has spent the last three seasons, and will be another on the transfer list in the summer window.
