Nottingham Forest confirm deadline day signing as transfer decision made
Nottingham Forest have completed the deadline day signing of Reading defender Tyler Bindon.
The 20-year-old is viewed as a bright prospect for the future. Having put pen to paper for the Reds on a deal until 2028, he has been loaned back to the Royals for the rest of the season.
"We have been impressed during our tracking of Tyler's progress at Reading, and we are pleased to secure his signature today," Forest chief football officer Ross Wilson said. "We will be closely following his development as he now returns to Reading for the remainder of this season."
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The New Zealand centre-back joined Reading in August 2023 and has been a first-team regular since then. Prior to moving to the UK, he had come up through the ranks at East Coast Bays in his homeland and MLS outfit Los Angeles FC.
Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Watford, Hull City and Coventry City had been credited with an interest in him. And reports have suggested Arsenal had scouted him in the past.
The youngster has come in for high praise from Royals boss Noel Hunt. Back in December, he described Bindon as being a “special” player.
"You might be surprised but I’m not surprised. The kid is unbelievable. He doesn’t know how good he is or how good he is going to be. He is the loveliest boy, and his character is so delightful to work with," he told the Reading Chronicle. "He is inquisitive, asks questions and wants to know how things work and details of where he should be at any time - they’re the people you want to work with, as they all are.
"He’s a special kid. When he first came in, he trained with me and I walked into the office and said, ‘if we don’t sign him, I might as well not be here.’ In the first session to now, he’s outstanding."
When Bindon does eventually link up with Forest, he will have a fellow countryman on hand to help him settle in. New Zealander Chris Wood is having a fine season for Nuno’s side and recently penned a new contract to keep him at the club until 2027.
Throughout the transfer window, Nuno has insisted the Reds should only consider "special" additions. Aside from recruiting potential in Bindon, it could be a quiet end to deadline day on the banks of the Trent. Other than re-signing goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a short-term deal, the Reds have not added to the first-team squad.
