Nottinghamshire

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Dundee have signed defender Aaron Donnelly from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Dundee, making 21 appearances following his debut in October 2023 at Livingston.

Donnelly has been on loan at Colchester United this season, playing 22 times for the English League Two club.

He made his Northern Ireland debut in November last year when he came on as a substitute against Andorra.

"I am absolutely delighted to be back at the club," the centre-back told Dundee's website.

"As soon as I knew there was interest, it was a no-brainer to come back. My time here was excellent last season, really successful and I hope to pick up where I left off.

"There was a real connection with the fans and the players and I'm looking to repay them for the great support. I can't wait to get back out in front of them.

"I am really looking forward to seeing the fans again at Dens Park on Thursday night [against Rangers] and make sure to bring the noise."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

The vast majority of teams in the Premier League are going short from their goal-kicks most of the time, with 11 of the 20 teams playing at least 50% of them inside their own area, and 17 of the 20 playing most of them in their own half.

Premier League leaders Liverpool play 85% of their goal-kicks into their half, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City having a similar figure of 83%.

But there are perhaps some surprising takes from the figures.

As the above graphic shows, Arsenal - for years seen as playing a progressive, attractive style of football - are just as happy to go long with their goal-kicks as they are short, with roughly half of them ending in the opposition half.

In contrast, the Gunners' fierce rivals Tottenham have, somewhat incredibly, gone long with just four of their 145 goal-kicks so far this season.

Brighton notably went from goalkeeper to goal in less than 30 seconds to spark their 3-2 comeback win against Tottenham in October.

The Seagulls play 75% of their goal-kicks inside their own half and have had some great success with that tactic this campaign.

Meanwhile, surprise packages Nottingham Forest - sitting third in the Premier League - are also bucking the trend with their goal-kicks, with 60% of them being sent into the opposition half.

It is a tactic that, while at odds with the rest of the Premier League, is working for them with resurgent 33-year-old striker Chris Wood providing them with an effective outlet for the long ball.

Read more from Gary about how the role of the goalkeeper has changed

A special episode of Shut Up And Show More Football is available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.

To mark 50 years since Brian Clough was named Nottingham Forest manager, Colin Fray looks back at the moment he was appointed and how it changed Forest and English football forever.

This one-off programme marks the sliding doors' moment of Clough's arrival and the impact Forest's decision would go on to have, featuring contributions from key figures from the club's present and past including former boss Martin O'Neil and current owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

And read Andrew Aloia's write-up here

Nottingham Forest are in talks to extend the deal of 22-year-old Brazilian centre-back Murillo, which currently ends in 2028. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham that he believes the club have a "great chance" of beating his former club Liverpool in their next league game.

Williams said: "Liverpool will be a tough test, but the confidence is flowing through the group now so hopefully we can continue that winning form.

"Not just for me, but for the whole team it'll be special. We're the only team to beat them this season, so hopefully we can do that again.

"It's going to be tough, we know how good they are. They're probably one of the best teams in the world right now.

"But with our confidence, our winning form and the fans, if that all comes together then we'll have a great chance."

Listen to the full interview here.

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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Nottingham Forest were in the Premier League for its inaugural season and then only managed another four in the 1990s. After being promoted in 2022 it is very easy to say 'the last time Forest did x was in 1996'.

Our best league finish, our top goal scorer, back-to-back wins… it all sounds impressive without context. The context is almost a quarter of a century in the wilderness.

I have said it before but the Reds really are playing catch-up this season. We have moved beyond Premier League records now - Monday night's 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers was the first time we have seen six consecutive victories in the top flight since 1966-67 and the first time we have seen four consecutive clean sheets in the top flight since March 1992.

On the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough's arrival at the City Ground, this Forest side are doing things even Old Big 'Ead didn't achieve. What is significant now is that emulating his real achievements remains a fairytale - but Leicester City's title-winning season saw the Foxes with the same number of points after 20 games. Who is to say that is beyond us now?

Nobody is getting carried away with themselves - yet - but only four Premier League sides have reached 40 points at this stage of the season and not finished in the top four. On average, 26 points from the remaining 18 games would be enough for a top five finish. And crucially, while not confirmed, it is possible that England gains a fifth Champions League spot this season.

Nuno Espirito Santo consistently says "we've achieved nothing yet," and he very much knows the reality of football. However, those 40 points mean two things - one, that we're very much clear of relegation. And two, the records Forest keep breaking are very much becoming meaningful now. The time for dreaming is over, the rest of the season is there for the taking.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Dan: The formation we played made us very open to attacks on the break, which is where all the Forest goals came from. Otherwise, we played well and should have scored a few goals, particularly in the first half. Lima looked good and we didn't have as much threat after him and Doyle were subbed off. Not as bad as the score suggests.

David: What chance have you got if you miss opportunities in the goal area? Wolves should have gone in at half time 3-2 up not 0-2 down. You can't afford to miss glaring opportunities from 6ft in this league.

Jon: We need defensive reinforcements desperately. We lack experienced heads, physicality and leadership at the back and it showed. We had some bright moments in the first half but lacked composure in the final third. Very tricky run coming up, this transfer window is crucial for us.

Nottingham Forest fans

Ben: Not the prettiest performance from Forest but they got the job done - 3-0 is a cracking result, however it gets achieved. They're going to need to step it up though with the possibility of European football on the cards.

James: Another lethal display from the best counter attacking team in the league backed up by a solid performance from everyone in the squad. A fitting tribute to Mr Clough on the 50th anniversary since the man walked through the door.

Matt: The sign of a great side. They don't have to go and dominate possession or create more chances. They have their game plan ready and are possibly the best counter attacking team in the league.

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Former Nottingham Forest player and boss Martin O'Neill spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about the club's impressive form: "European football is definitely on the cards, and Champions League football is a possibility which I know sounds strange.

"When you have 40 points from 20 games, averaging two points a game, that is definitely Champions League form.

"When you consider where they were when Nuno Espirito Santo took over, it's remarkable - It's gathering so much momentum, that it's almost impossible to not start believing."