This week, TSN’s Matthew Scianitti reported that Nottingham Forest and Canadian national team defender Richie Laryea will be made available on loan this summer.
Laryea to go on loan
As the international soccer transfer window opens, sources tell @TSNSoccer @TSN_Sports that Richie Laryea will likely be loaned out by Nottingham Forest. Clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the English Championship are interested in the Canadian international defender #CanMNT
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) July 1, 2022
There have been rumblings in recent weeks about a return to Toronto FC for the fullback, but Scianitti’s report states that clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands and the English Championship are keeping tabs on his availability.
Since Forest purchased him from TFC in January for $1.3 million, Laryea has played just 117 minutes across five substitute appearances in the league. He was also not named to the bench in the Championship Play-off Final.
Having been promoted to the Premier League, Forest have been investing heavily in recruitment this summer. This weekend, they announced the signing of right-back Giulian Biancone from Troyes:
Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Giulian Biancone. ✍️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 3, 2022
It is clear that Laryea is not in coach Steve Cooper’s immediate plans. The 27-year-old is rumoured to want regular minutes and that’s why he is available for loan. With that being said, let’s look at where the Canadian international could end up this season.
Possible destinations for Laryea
Club Brugge KV – Jupiler Pro League 🇧🇪
This is the move on everyone’s mind. Given that the Belgian champions just signed Cyle Larin and already own Tajon Buchanan, Canadians everywhere will be crossing their fingers that Brugge sign Laryea and make a superteam of canucks.
The only thing standing in the way of this move is the fact that Brugge already have Buchanan playing left-wing-back and Danish international Andreas Skov Olsen on the right. Both were vital in Brugge’s title win.
KAA Gent – Jupiler Pro League 🇧🇪
The Belgian outfit are an obvious option: Jonathan David played in their academy and had 52 goal involvement in 82 appearances across two seasons in the first team.
Minutes won’t be hard to come by for Laryea at Gent. Hein Vanhaezebrouck plays a 3-5-2 system with wide players that operate not unlike Laryea has for Canada and TFC. They spent most of last season with Belgium U21 international Matisse Samoise at right midfield but might want a more experienced option with more defensive acumen.
Since the departure of David to Lille and head coach Jess Thorup to FC Copenhagen, Gent have struggled mightily. Following a second-place finish in 2020, they have finished fifth and seventh. They are in the Europa League playoffs as Belgian Cup winners.
FC Twente – Eredivisie 🇳🇱
Twente have recently returned to Europe for the first time in eight years. After finishing fourth in the league last year, they were placed in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.
This season, Giovanni Troupée and Joshua Brenet split time at right-back. Troupée has been released and Brenet is set to announce whether he will remain with the club shortly. Whether he stays or not, Twente are still in need of a right-back.
Queens Park Rangers – Championship 🏴
The West London club have struggled since being relegated to the second division in 2015, but could be a good fit for Laryea should he wish to stay in England.
QPR spend most of last season with 34-year-old Albert Adomah – a winger – at right-wing-back. He did manage two goals and three assists in the league this year, but it is not hard to imagine the club is looking for an upgrade.
There are also Canadian connections here: Junior Hoilett spent four years with QPR between 2012-2016. Marc Bircham, who made 17 appearances for Canada between 1999-2004, once captained the team and even served as a youth coach.
Canadians on the move
Reports from Belgium claim that striker Ike Ugbo will leave KRC Genk his summer. The 23-year-old enjoyed a successful loan stint with Troyes in Ligue 1 in the second half of the season, scoring five goals in 11 starts. A return to France could in the cards, as Ugbo was a major reason Troyes survived relegation.
Junior Hoilett has signed a one-year contract extension with Reading FC. Another few months in the Championship should help him get in prime shape for November’s World Cup.
Lastly, Stephen Eustàquio has made his loan to FC Porto permanent, signing a contract until 2027. With fellow midfielder Vitinha signing for Paris Saint-Germain, The 25-year-old should have an increased role in the team going forward.
Stephen Eustaquio é Dragão até 2027 🐉#IndomáveisPorNatureza #Eustaquio2027 pic.twitter.com/TgbmwBWac7
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) July 5, 2022
