Nottingham Forest added five players to their squad during the January transfer deadline. We give you a run-down of who those new boys are...
Joao Teixeira
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
Apps/ Goals: 25/ 3
Former clubs: Benfica, Vitória Guimarães, Wolves
Confusingly he’s been signed on a sub-loan (he’s on loan from Wolves, who he’s on loan to from Benfica). Equally confusingly he’s got the same name as the attacking midfielder who played for Liverpool, Brentford and Brighton. But it’s a different bloke. Tell it to Moussa Dembélé. Or Kyle Walker.
Verdict: Another centre-midfielder won’t go amiss, but let’s hope he doesn’t stand in the way of progressing Cash or Osborn. Particularly as he’s just on loan.
Ross McCormack
Position: Striker
Age: 30
Apps/ Goals: 405/ 136
Former clubs: Rangers, Doncaster, Motherwell, Cardiff, Leeds, Fulham, Aston Villa
His career record speaks for itself. He’s scored an average of one goal every three games regularly for the last ten years. His last two transfers were for fees totalling £23million. But his recent attitude at Villa is questionable, which is why Steve Bruce has loaned him out.
Verdict: He’ll either bang goals in and become a huge fans favourite, or Forest will have the sulkiest strikeforce in the league with him alongside Bendtner.
Zach Clough
Position: Striker/ Attacking Midfielder
Age: 21
Apps/ Goals: 58 /21
Former clubs: Bolton
No relation, but after failing to lure in one Clough this transfer deadline, Forest will be glad to have got their hands on another. He’s a raw young talent, with a good goals ratio; 9 goals in 22 games this season.
Verdict: The sort of young lower division signing Forest have thrived on in the past. But then for every Collymore or Assombalonga there is a Joe Garner. So let’s not hype up too much yet, especially with that name as the first obstacle to overcome.
Aaron Tshibola
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
Apps/ Goals: 44/ 1
Former clubs: Reading, Hartlepool, Aston Villa
At 6ft 3” he’s a big lad, a box-to-box midfielder who’s not afraid to put in a tackle. When Di Matteo signed him for Villa at the start of the season the fee was rumoured to be around £5million. He started well and endeared himselves to fans, but fell out of favour under Steve Bruce, hence the loan to Forest.
Verdict: Every team needs a player like this. If he gets back to the form he showed at the start of the season then David Vaughan might be fighting for his first team place.
Gboly Ariyibi
Position: Winger
Age: 22
Apps/ Goals: 79/ 3
Former clubs: Southampton, Leeds, Tranmere, Chesterfield
American-born winger who was first blooded in a Southampton youth-team that included Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse. He's spent the last couple of seasons as a regular with Chesterfield and fans there have said on his day he's their best player, he just needs to work on his consistency. Signed for an undisclosed fee.
Verdict: Another potentially exciting signing in attack for Forest. Unlikely to start straight away, but a good option to have on the bench.
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