The 'very sad' Newcastle United moment that sparked celebrations at Nottingham Forest
Elliot Anderson was picked by Newcastle United to feature in the club's Adidas advert last spring with nobody expecting him to be sold last spring.
Back then he was deemed as part of United's future and as the pride of the club's Academy, he hoped to get more opportunities under Eddie Howe. Few could have predicted what would come next for the ex-Wallsend Boys Club junior!
Even when the Whitley Bay lad trotted off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the post-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur, he had no idea he'd played his last game for the Magpies. Five weeks later, Anderson's representatives were notified of a bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers as Newcastle's PSR woes began to kick in.
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But as the PSR health check deadline loomed, Newcastle accepted a £35million bid for one of their best youngsters and the former youth team captain was a shock sale to Nottingham Forest. Anderson didn't really want to leave and Eddie Howe didn't want to sell the playmaker, but both of their hands were forced.
Howe said: "It didn’t sit comfortably with me but we had no choice. Everyone here at Newcastle has worked so hard to develop him and his talents.
"Through PSR the club has been forced into a decision. Elliot was very sad for us because he was a player that we loved."
Anderson, celebrating his 22nd birthday today, may have found himself frustrated had he stayed at Newcastle this season. But at Nottingham Forest, he has flourished and the outstanding talent is believed to be on the brink of an England call-up.
The team-mates he left behind at Newcastle could not be happier for him with Forest flying high in the Premier League in third spot. Midfielder and friend Sean Longstaff saying this week: "It shows sometimes you have to go away to show your value, I’m really happy for him, it’s going to be a tough game as they’re playing really well. "
Under Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, Anderson has played defensive midfield, attacking midfield and on the left-hand side. Nuno has tried to manage Anderson's minutes and he came on as sub against West Ham in the 3-0 win at the City Ground to provide an assist soon after entering the pitch.
Anderson is yet to score for his new club but there will be an air of inevitability if he finds the net against his old club Newcastle on Sunday. In the Carabao Cup, Anderson swayed to one side, then the other before sending a vicious shot at Nick Pope's goal but United may not be so fortunate this time.
There is a genuine belief that Anderson could become a number 10 at Forest but he looks comfortable in a range of positions in midfield and further up the pitch. It is a nice problem to have and one that Newcastle lost for what feels like peanuts at £35m in the grand scheme of things.
Nuno told Sky Sports: "With Elliot, first of all, he is an amazing talent for such a young player. He is competitive and wants to improve. He knows he is good but wants to be better. That is the first step. We are delighted to have him. I think it was a very good deal."
Anderson said when he arrived at Forest: "It is a great opportunity and a fresh start. I can't wait to attack it. I just want to show everybody what ability I've got."
Just 11 games into Anderson's Forest career, he's certainly doing that. Nuno and his coaching staff couldn't believe they'd signed Anderson back in July. He's already looked like a star, but the best is clearly still to come. For 90 plus minutes at the City Ground, that will be Newcastle's problem.