Deadline day call, red card, goals - how Nottingham Forest loanees are getting on
It might have been a quiet winter transfer window for Nottingham Forest but the club still sanctioned a few bits of business.
Aside from re-signing third-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a short-term deal, young defender Tyler Bindon was the only incoming for the Reds. The 20-year-old was immediately loaned back to Reading after penning a three-year deal from the Royals.
The New Zealander is not the only Forest player plying their trade elsewhere for the remainder of the campaign. A few others went out on loan before Monday’s deadline to join those who had headed elsewhere in the summer. Below, we take a look at all of the Reds’ loanees.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest 'eyeing' transfer opportunity amid contract stand-off
READ MORE: Key update is next step in Evangelos Marinakis achieving City Ground dream for Nottingham Forest
Matt Turner (Crystal Palace): Has made two appearances for the Eagles so far, both in cup competitions and both ending in victories. Made his debut in a 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup in October then was between the posts again last month for a 1-0 FA Cup win over Stockport County.
Jonathan Panzo (Rio Ave): Made his return from a knee problem on Monday, but it didn’t exactly go to plan as the centre-back was shown a straight red card for a foul barely three minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with Porto. That was his eighth league appearance for the Portuguese outfit.
Omar Richards (Rio Ave): This is another loan spell for the left-back as he tries to put a nightmare couple of years behind him on the injury front. As with last term’s stint at Olympiacos, he is with one of the clubs in Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis’ stable. Has featured 17 times to date, all of them as part of the starting XI.
Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg): After joining last month, boss Liam Rosenior said the defender put in a “great performance” on his debut, with the 22-year-old coming off the bench for the second half of a 2-1 win over Lille. Made his first start for the French outfit last weekend, in a 1-0 loss to Rennes. Strasbourg hold an option to make his move a permanent one.
David Carmo (Olympiacos): Now in his second loan spell at Olympiacos, having also spent last term there from Porto before he put pen to paper for Forest last summer. A regular starter in the league, he has notched up 14 appearances in the first XI to date and three from the substitutes’ bench. The centre-back recently scored his first league goal for the Greek outfit, in a 1-1 draw with arch-rivals Panathinaikos.
Tyler Bindon (Reading): Reds supporters will no doubt take an interest in how the youngster gets on in the remainder of the campaign. He only joined the Royals in August 2023 but has already established himself as a key player. Has made 75 appearances for the club and has also captained the side. Before linking up with Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad in the summer, the defender will hope to sign off in style for Reading as a League One promotion push is on the cards.
Lewis O’Brien (Swansea City): After signing on deadline day, will hope to make his debut when the Swans are away to Bristol City on Sunday. “I am really excited to be here. It was a chance for me to come back to the Championship,” the midfielder said after putting pen to paper. Loan spell with Los Angeles FC had officially expired on December 31 and they had decided against taking up the option to sign him permanently.
Josh Bowler (Luton Town): A stint with Preston North End in the first half of the campaign wasn’t working out so the winger switched to the Hatters last month. Got his first run-out for the Championship outfit last weekend when he came off the bench in a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday. “He’s shown a lot of hunger and desire to come here and he’s someone we are really happy to have on board,” boss Matt Bloomfield has said.
Marko Stamenic (Olympiacos): Forest now have three Kiwis on the books, with Chris Wood, Bindon and Stamenic. The 22-year-old has been in and out of the team in Greece since heading out on loan after signing for the Reds last summer, with half of his 10 league appearances coming from off the bench. Might have his work cut out to force his way into Nuno’s plans for next term given midfield is an area where Forest have strength in depth.
Emmanuel Dennis (Blackburn): After Monday’s deadline day switch, the attacker got a run-out for Rovers’ Under-21s on Wednesday. He played 45 minutes of a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. Could make his first-team debut for the club against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup on Sunday. If he does play, it would be his first competitive game since last April during his loan spell at Watford.
Dale Taylor (Wigan Athletic): Was crowned the Latics’ Player of the Month for December after netting three goals in six matches. Has a total of six from 28 games for the campaign so far as the 21-year-old forward continues to impress after successful stints with Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion earlier in his career.
Jamie McDonnell (Colchester United): Named in the League Two Team of the Week last month after an excellent display in a 1-0 win over Morecambe on January 25. “McDonnell was outstanding in the U's 1-0 win, dominating the midfield and also dropping back into a more defensive role in the second half for Danny Cowley's side. The on-loan Nottingham Forest youngster has been in excellent form for Colchester since joining them in the summer,” said the Colchester Gazette. Is getting plenty of minutes under his belt, with 25 appearances so far.
Esapa Osong (Cambridge United): Spent the first half of the season with Rotherham United, then switched to Cambridge last month. The forward has made two substitute appearances for the League One side so far.
Joe Gardner (Lincoln City): Penned a new contract with Forest before joining the Imps for his first loan last month. The versatile forward had plenty of clubs interested in snapping him up but will hope to get valuable minutes with Lincoln. Yet to make his debut but Saturday’s home game with Cambridge might present an opportunity.
Ben Perry (Northampton Town): A late departure from the City Ground before Monday’s deadline. Cobblers boss Kevin Nolan has said he had to persuade Forest academy coach Andy Reid to let the midfielder go. “They weren’t looking to get him out, it was me giving Andy Reid a call and we made it happen and I was delighted that we did,” Nolan told the Northampton Chronicle. Tonight’s clash at Mansfield Town could represent a first taste of life with Northampton for the 20-year-old.
