Derby County have signed Nottingham Forest midfielder Tyrese Fornah for an undisclosed fee, the club’s official website confirmed.
The 23-year-old had been expected to sign on the dotted line ahead of the weekend, as Paul Warne looks to bolster his squad in the middle of the park.
Fornah was on the brink of the Forest first team during their time in the Championship, but ever since their promotion to the Premier League, the former Reading and Brighton & Hove Albion youth prospect has found himself a considerable way down the pecking order.
The tall and athletic London-born defensive midfielder is no stranger to England’s third tier, having scored three goals in 58 appearances in loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Shrewsbury Town in recent seasons.
He spent last season on loan in the Championship, playing 35 times for Reading as the Royals suffered relegation to League One, but earned raved reviews from his manager, Paul Ince.
With one year left on his contract at the City Ground, it was initially unclear whether the Englishman would make a temporary switch to Pride Park, however, it is now clarified that he will move to Derbyshire in a contract that runs until 2025.
He joins Joe Ward, Josh Vickers, Callum Elder, Curtis Nelson, Sonny Bradley, Conor Washington, Kane Wilson and Martyn Waghorn in linking up with Paul Warne’s squad this summer.
The 50-year-old Rams boss had called for more signings amid an injury crisis at the League One club in recent weeks, and he now appears to have got his wish after midfielder Max Bird and wingbacks Joe Ward and Kane Wilson suffered injuries which will see them miss “at least” two months of play.
What’s been said?
Former Reading boss Paul Ince was impressed by his potential last season, saying: “I’m always on Ty’s case because I know when I was a 22-year-old midfielder that people were on to me, like Mark Hughes and Bryan Robson.
“I know he can be a top player and the last two games he has been absolutely outstanding. It wasn’t just about his goal, he’s growing and maturing and that’s what you want.
“He’s maturing each game and you can forget he’s never played at this level.”
Writer’s View
Fornah appeared to be on an upwards trajectory, impressing in loan spells at this level before making the step up to the Championship where he again earned plaudits, so this feels like a real coup for Derby.
He is athletic enough to play in a number of midfield roles, which could prove to be pivotal as they attempt to come through an injury crisis.
At 23 and with over 100 senior appearances to his name, there is still the potential that he could develop further into a real key asset at Pride Park.
