In a somber turn of events for Nottingham Forest fans, the club bids farewell to three of its beloved players today: Murillo, Nuno Tavares, and Taiwo Awoniyi. The departures mark the end of an era for these talented individuals who have left an indelible mark on the club and its supporters.
Murillo
Murillo, the dynamic Brazilian defender, has been a stalwart presence in the Nottingham Forest backline. Known for his tenacity, leadership, and remarkable defensive skills, Murillo’s departure is a significant loss for the team. His contributions on and off the pitch have endeared him to fans and teammates alike, making this farewell particularly poignant.
Nuno Tavares
Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares brought flair and versatility to Nottingham Forest’s defensive line. His ability to surge forward and contribute to the attack, combined with his defensive prowess, made him a fan favorite. Tavares’ departure leaves a void that will be challenging to fill, as his unique style of play and commitment to the club have made a lasting impression.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s journey with Nottingham Forest has been nothing short of spectacular. His goal-scoring prowess and electrifying performances have thrilled fans and played a crucial role in the team’s successes. Awoniyi’s departure is a significant blow to the club’s attacking options, as his presence on the pitch was always a game-changer.
GOOD NEWS: Nottingham Forest sign Portugal winger Jota Silva from Vitória for initial €7m
Nottingham Forest has officially signed Portuguese winger Jota Silva from Vitória de Guimarães on a four-year contract for €7 million (£5.9 million) plus add-ons. The deal could reach €12 million if Silva plays more than 15 games and scores 10 goals, with Vitória also securing a 20% sell-on clause.
Key Signing for Forest
Jota Silva becomes the sixth addition to Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad this summer, joining Carlos Miguel, Nikola Milenkovic, Eric da Silva Moreira, Elliot Anderson, and Marko Stamenic. The 25-year-old winger, who recently celebrated his birthday, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the team.
Impressive Track Record
Silva made 83 appearances for Vitória over two seasons, scoring 20 goals. He joined the club in June 2022 from Casa Pia and has since made a significant impact. Likened to Jack Grealish, Silva had a breakthrough campaign last season, scoring 15 goals. His stellar performance earned him a call-up to Roberto Martínez’s Portugal squad, where he won his first caps in the March friendlies against Sweden and Slovenia.
Interest from Other Clubs
Before joining Nottingham Forest, Silva was the subject of firm interest from Russian side Krasnodar and Greece’s Panathinaikos. West Ham was also rumored to be a potential suitor, but their interest cooled as they focused on Leeds’ Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville.
Addressing Squad Depth
Nuno Espírito Santo highlighted the need for more wingers last month, stating, “Everyone can see we need wingers. The only natural wingers we have are Callum [Hudson-Odoi] and Anthony [Elanga].” Silva’s arrival addresses this gap, providing much-needed depth and versatility to Forest’s wide areas.
Other Transfer News
In other transfer news, Crystal Palace has completed the signing of forward Ismaïla Sarr from Marseille on a five-year contract. The 26-year-old spent four seasons at Watford before joining Marseille last July. Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised Sarr’s goal-scoring ability and his contributions to the Senegal national team.
Pascal Gross, described as Brighton’s “greatest-ever Premier League signing,” has joined Borussia Dortmund. The German midfielder’s transfer ends a seven-year spell at Brighton, where he made 261 appearances. Brighton’s chairman, Tony Bloom, lauded Gross’s contribution to the club’s success during the Premier League era.
Ipswich has also made a significant addition, signing 31-year-old full-back Conor Townsend from West Brom on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Stay tuned for more updates as the transfer window continues to bring exciting changes to the football world.