Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest's latest recruit Dan Ndoye is a "marquee signing" according to BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray.

"I think this was their big target in terms of replacing [Anthony] Elanga," Fray told the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast.

"When he left [I said] there really is no substitution for pace, especially when he's got end product with it, but Dan Ndoye has bags and bags of pace as well so it does seem to be a direct replacement.

"[I'm] excited to see him, a big signing for Forest and one they were desperate to get over the line and I don't think it will be the last, I think they'll be busy between now and the end of the transfer window.

"But obviously it's a big, big fee for Forest and I think I'm right in saying that this is the highest initial payment that Forest have paid for a player, and that is a big thing for him to have to handle at 24 years of age. But this is a marquee signing.

"Clearly you look at this pace they've brought in and that still gives them a massive option in terms of hitting teams on the counter attack but it's been interesting in pre-season because you've seen Nuno tinkering with playing styles and formations.

"We're just going to have to see because you can never read too much into pre-season."

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Just a few days after tying key man Morgan Gibbs-White down to a new contract, Nottingham Forest have concluded another important piece of business, bringing in Switzerland international Dan Ndoye.

The Reds needed a new winger, to replace Anthony Elanga, but can Ndoye replicate the Sweden international's success at the City Ground?

Both players operate everywhere across the forward line. Elanga made 57% of his Premier League appearances for Forest on the right, but he played almost 25% of his games on the left and also had some success playing up front.

As for Ndoye, his Serie A experience has been almost equally split between the left (41%) and right wings (40%), with occasional outings at wing-back. He further underlined his versatility by starting in four different roles in five games at Euro 2024, playing at right wing, centre-forward, left wing and right wing-back.

Both players are rapid and use their athleticism to drive play upfield. Elanga registered a top speed of 36.7 km/h last season, the third fastest in the Premier League, while Ndoye was the eighth quickest player at Euro 2024.

Interestingly, Elanga only ranked 50th for the number of dribbles attempted last season, partly reflecting Forest's counter-attacking style, but when the Reds did get him on the ball he was devastatingly effective.

Ndoye looks well placed to step into that role. He recorded 125 'long progressive carries', defined as forward dribbles that total 10m or more, according to Opta. That was the second highest total by a winger or attacking midfielder in Serie A last season.

Elanga stands out in terms of creativity though, registering 21 Premier League assists over the past two seasons, equivalent to one every 258 minutes. Ndoye has just eight assists over the same period, one every 626 minutes.

Yet while the pair offer goal threat, they are not yet prolific. Elanga has netted 11 times in 82 league appearances for Forest, while Ndoye scored 11 goals in 76 games for Bologna.

The Nyon-born player is not the finished article, but if he can add a little more end product to his game then he could prove a more than adequate replacement for Elanga.

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BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray gave his verdict on Morgan Gibbs-White's new contract after a failed approach by Tottenham:

"It's a huge boost. I was as surprised as anybody - I thought he was probably on the way out but you can hear what it means to supporters. I was at Chesterfield for the friendly against Monaco and saw the reception he got.

"So it was a surprise but a pleasant surprise because he is a key part of what Forest do.

"When he is missing, yes others can fill in but on a regular basis you feel you miss his quality and ability to make something happen.

"I know some fans get frustrated sometimes as when he is trying to make something happen a ball can go astray. But quite often, something does happen.

"Having lost Elanga already, the idea of losing both was filling Forest fans with some dread. To try to replace him would have been a difficult ask I think because of what he gives you on the pitch. To turn it around to sign a new contract is a big, big coup."

"I think it helps a player when the owner sits down with you on a one-to-one level and explains how important a part you are. A big pay rise is going to help.

"It probably comes down to a combination of being loved and wanted, of being told Forest will build around him and that this is a place where he can have a massive season, with a World Cup coming up. He needs a good season, to be playing and impressing on a regular basis."

Listen to Colin on Shut Up and Show More Football

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On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Forest and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Curtis:

"Walking from the city centre to the City Ground is a walk to the stadium like few others. The bridge along London Road over the River Trent, the four independent stands pop out, along with a sea of red and white.

"My first game was against Chesterfield, aged 11 in September 2006. I won the ticket through a summer football camp organised by the club that August. Neil Harris scored that day and we went on to win 4-0.

"I held a season ticket for 12 years, in which time we rose from League One into the Championship, in and out of relegation battles and play-off pushes, ultimately leading to us getting promoted to the top flight at Wembley in 2022. I still remember being sat up in the gods, that feeling at the final whistle, the rumble in my chest... Nobody will ever be able to take that away from me.

"I still go to regular home games with the top membership, despite relocating to south Yorkshire, but I often make reference to three of my dreams coming true in the space of three years - two of which happened simultaneously; seeing Forest play at Wembley, seeing Forest promoted to the Premier League and seeing Forest in a European competition.

"Time to grab the passport. Here's to the next chapter of the club I'll adore until my very last day."

Join the conversation and send your best photo about why you love Forest.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

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The latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has landed.

On the agenda this week, David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss the arrival of forward Dan Ndoye from Serie A side Bologna and the significance of Morgan Gibbs-White's new contract at the City Ground.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brentford striker Yoane Wissa continues to train away from the first team amid uncertainty over his future and interest from multiple rival clubs.

The 28-year-old arrived at training on time before meeting manager Keith Andrews and sporting director Phil Giles to indicate his preference to continue training alone.

Wissa has previously threatened he will never play for Brentford again in past talks with Giles amid reports a £25m bid from Newcastle was rejected last week.

Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also believed to be interested in the Congo international.

Andrews is preparing his team to face QPR on Saturday which will also be the first time he speaks about the situation publicly.

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Nottingham Forest have confirmed the signing of versatile forward Dan Ndoye from Bologna.

The 24-year-old Switzerland international has agreed a five-year deal at the City Ground, having last season scored the Coppa Italia final goal that won Bologna's first major trophy for more than 50 years.

Ndoye made his international debut for Switzerland in 2022 and has gone on to earn 22 caps for his country.

"It is a really exciting time at Forest and I knew straight away that I wanted to be a part of the project," Ndoye said.

"It's a really ambitious team with a fantastic history and I can't wait to get started."

The club's chief football officer, Ross Wilson, added: "Dan is an exciting new addition to our squad and a player we have tracked extensively over a long period of time.

"We are delighted that he joins Nottingham Forest and continues his own ambitious journey here with us."

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Former Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest forward Trevor Francis will be honoured in a pre-season friendly between the two clubs on Saturday.

Francis made his debut for Birmingham as a 16-year-old and became British football's first £1m player when he left Blues to join Forest in 1979.

A few weeks later, Francis scored the winning goal as Forest won the first of their two successive European Cups.

Francis died in 2023, aged 69. Before Saturday's match, a statue of Francis will be unveiled outside the Championship club's stadium.

Frank Clark, who played alongside Francis in Forest's 1979 final victory in Munich, told BBC East Midlands Today: "He was a terrific player and a really good bloke. He was Britain's £1m player but there was never any big-headedness about that. He just came into the club and was very quickly accepted as one of the lads.

"The manager [Brian Clough] made him make the tea for everybody on his first day after training, just to keep his feet on the ground."

Clark added: "We think [having the friendly] is important because since he died, we've always wondered why there had been no ceremony or function to pay tribute to him.

"This is the perfect example of the two clubs getting together. It'll be a proper pre-season game in honour of Trevor's memory."

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Garry Birtles played alongside Francis at Nottigham Forest and told BBC East Midlands Today: "One of the most unassuming people you could ever meet, considering what he was.

"You would think the first £1m player [in Britain] would have a chip on the shoulder and be going 'look at me', but there was not a trace of that at all. He was so humble and a lovely person.

"He was incredible, he had pace to burn and his movement was excellent. He integrated well with the rest of the team. He wasn't this greedy striker, he played his part as a team player.

"He was just a joy to be with and he was just normal. Nowadays you see players and you're not allowed to go near them, but Trevor was not like that at all. We were part of the football club and Nottingham itself. We mingled with the fans and enjoyed doing that.

"He came to the majority of the reunions we used to have and it was always great to see him."

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] has confirmed that an in-person hearing for the case Crystal Palace v. UEFA, Nottingham Forest Football Club & Olympique Lyonnais is scheduled for Friday, 8 August 2025.

The hearing will be held behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

No decision will be issued on 8 August.

It is expected that an operative decision [without grounds] will be given on Monday, 11 August.

Palace submitted an appeal against their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League with CAS on 22 July.

The appeal is against Uefa, which issued the punishment, French club Lyon and Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest.

The Eagles were punished for breaching multi-club ownership rules as American businessman John Textor owns a stake in the club and is the majority owner of Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League.

Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, are expected to replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa League should the punishment stand.

Manchester City have rejected a bid in the region of £25m from Nottingham Forest for 22-year-old English midfielder James McAtee. (Sky Sports), external

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Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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At one point, it felt almost inevitable that Morgan Gibbs-White was going to become a Tottenham Hotspur player.

The confidential £60m release clause had been met and surely any protests were just going to delay the unveiling.

Nottingham Forest, however, are a different beast these days.

While the club might have sanctioned the £55m sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United, Evangelos Marinakis was clearly in no mood to weaken the squad any further.

To his credit, the player made no noise. He attended training and the pre-season camp in Portugal, despite some personal issues, and now signing a new contract suddenly clears the way for the rest of Forest's transfer window plans.

Replacing Elanga is one thing. Replacing the heartbeat of Nuno Espirito Santo's side is another thing entirely.

Links with the likes of James McAtee and Harvey Elliott showed that there could be a future - it is just that the upheaval in one summer could be far too disruptive to the club's first European campaign in 30 years.

As it is, a three-year contract for Gibbs-White still potentially paves the way for a departure next summer, after the World Cup, but at a price more fitting to his stature - and with a succession plan in mind.

For now, it is very much a statement of intent. Forest are not here to be picked off by other clubs - especially ones that finished 10 places below us in the league - and we continue to look up, not down.

The uncertainty over the past few weeks has undoubtedly stalled the signing of new players, but with moves for Dan Ndoye, Adama Traore and possibly Jacob Ramsey, strengthening rather than weakening is definitely the name of the game.

With new contracts for several existing players agreed, those not likely to feature being moved on and money still to spend, Marinakis, Nuno and the fans are now hopefully on the same page for next season.

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Nottingham Forest are eyeing a move for Fulham and Spain winger Adama Traore, 29, who previously worked with manager Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Forest are also on the verge of signing Switzerland international Dan Ndoye, 24, on a long-term contract for a club-record fee after he informed Bologna of his desire to play in the Premier League. (Telegraph – subscription required, external)

If Forest beat Napoli to Ndoye's signature, the Italian club could step up their interest in Manchester City's Jack Grealish or Manchester United's 21-year-old Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho. (Sun, external)

Finally, Forest, Everton and West Ham are battling it out for Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, who wants to leave Juventus this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian, external)

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

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There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Forest.

When was the moment it all began?

What is your most special memory?

Your first home game? Earliest shirt? A seminal away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Blackpool face competition from Plymouth Argyle for 21-year-old Nottingham Forest and Northern Ireland striker Dale Taylor's signature. (Alan Nixon via Patreon - subscription required), external

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Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, speaking to club media about Morgan Gibbs-White signing a new contract: "We are very happy about it. We share the same dreams and he is a talented player. He loves Nottingham Forest and has become a legend already.

"It didn't take long to reach an agreement with Morgan - it was a very short conversation full of passion and love for the club.

"All of our supporters should know that this guy loves the club."

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Following the news that Morgan Gibbs-White had signed a "record deal" with Nottingham Forest, we asked for your views on the 25-year-old committing to three more years at the City Ground.

Here are some of your comments:

Samuel: How quickly the tide can change in football. Really didn't expect this, and it's brilliant for the club. Could have really done with it not being played out in public but he's a young guy and you cannot blame him for what has happened. However, Mr. Marinakis has done wonders to keep him - especially when all those Tottenham fans thought they'd got him on the cheap! Ambition from Forest. Definitely finishing above them (again)!

Andy: Could prove to be Forest's biggest 'signing' of the summer. Will calm a few nerves and show any potential targets we mean business and are a club continuing on an upward trajectory.

Ben: Expect the unexpected: this should be Forest's new mantra. Absolutely over the moon he's staying. Everything good that Forest do goes through him. Find an adequate replacement for Anthony Elanga and Forest are back on track for another exciting season!

John: Great news but we all know the worth of football contracts! Ask Wolves when Matheus Cunha signed a new contract in January and now is a Manchester United player!

Kerry: Always plays with his heart on his sleeve. No doubt more money for new contract - player and agent got want they wanted.

Richard: The whole thing with Morgan Gibbs-White was a farce but, as a devoted Forest fan, I'm glad he's staying.

Sean: It's great to get the uncertainty out of the way. We would be in trouble if we lost both Elanga and Gibbs-White in the same window, so this is a great result. We do still need to bring some players in to give ourselves a chance of competing throughout the season, but it's great news MGW is staying.

Gary: Relief mostly. A big cog in the Forest machinery. Folks will say he has held the club to ransom. I don't care - Morgan is staying.

Choose how you are feeling here

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Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White says he wants to be "part of something special" after signing a new three-year contract at the City Ground.

The 25-year-old's future at the club was uncertain, after Tottenham attempted to trigger his release clause earlier this month, but the club has now announced a "record deal" for the England international.

Forest described it as a "record deal" for the club in a social media post, with the midfielder committing his future to the Reds and extending his stay at the City Ground through to 2028.

Gibbs-White has made 118 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 28 assists, since signing from Wolves in August 2022.

Speaking to the club, external after penning his deal, Gibbs-White said: "I've felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived. The support from the fans, my teammates and everyone around the club has been unbelievable.

"I believe in what we are building here - and with the backing of Mr Marinakis and the enormous ambition he has, I want to be part of making something special.

"I am excited for what's to come."

What do you make of the news?

Were you expecting Morgan Gibbs-White to stay or leave the City Ground this summer?

Does the midfielder still have the fans' support?

Let us know your thoughts here

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Fulham claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory over Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest thanks to a brilliant brace from forward Harry Wilson, as both sides continued their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.

Marco Silva gave minutes to 21 different players during the first friendly of their Portugal training camp, as his side cruised to their third pre-season victory at Estadio de Sao Luis.

Nuno Espirito Santo took a similar approach, handing summer signing Jair Cunha his first minutes in a Nottingham Forest shirt and giving starts to academy quintet Jimmy Sinclair, Aaron Bott, Josh Powell, Adam Berry and Archie Whitehall.

The Cottagers are set to face Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in their next pre-season friendly, while Primeira Liga side Estoril Praia await the Reds. Both matches are set to be played on Wednesday, 30 July.