Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka has been a busy man the last few days with a number of arrivals and some departures.
Beginning with tonight’s business, we have loaned in Watford goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon until the end of the season.
The former Manchester City goalkeeper had been out on loan in Spain so far this season, but Watford recalled him and he headed out to us a short time ago.
Pantilimon is a Romanian international.
He was joined this evening by Iranian winger Ashkan Dejagah, but the 31 year old comes in on a permanent deal as he was a free agent having left German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg over the summer.
Pantilimon told the Official Forest Site as he arrived.
‘I am very happy and I am glad to be part of this huge club. I am excited to start and I am looking forward to start working here. The history is there, it is a big club in England and I wanted to play back here in England. I am excited to work with the manager; it was one of the key factors in my decision. It is a pleasure to know him, to start working with him and I hope to get some good results here. I hope to improve the results and for the team to get better and better.’
Dejagah was equally delighted with his move.
‘I am really happy to be here and back in the UK. Nottingham Forest is a big, traditional club and I am happy to be here. The manager spoke to my agent and he was interested in signing me, and for him and the club to want me made it an easy decision. I didn’t have to think about it, it was an easy ‘yes’ and hopefully I can help the manager, my teammates and the team.’
He has previous experience of the country as he spent two years with Fulham so it shouldn’t take him long to adjust.
‘When I played in Germany I always said it was my dream to play in England. I played in the Premier League with Fulham and now in the Championship with Forest. I love it and I know how hard English football is but I am looking forward to playing my first game for the club. I am a player who likes to attack. I am aggressive on the pitch and always want to win so hopefully I can give the fans something to cheer about.’
This evening also saw confirmation that Mustapha Carayol had left the club by mutual consent. He joined back in 2016 and the 29 year old winger made 38 appearances in total, with a return of three goals.
Tyler Walker has also headed out of the club for a loan spell with Bolton Wanderers.
Prior to tonight’s announcements, we also confirmed the arrival of Tobias Figueiredo on a loan spell from Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season.
The 23 year old centre half came through Lisbon’s academy and has featured regularly for their first team including games in the Europa League and Champions league.
He was looking forward to a new experience in England.
‘I am very happy to be here. This is a big step forward in my career and I am ready to get going here at Nottingham Forest. This is a big club with lots of history but also a bright future and I want to be part of it. The chance to play in the Championship is one that I couldn’t turn down as it is a very competitive league. Aitor Karanka is a big name as a manager but also as a player. He was a great defender and I have lots to learn from him. It is a privilege to work under him and I am keen to learn lots from him.’
He added about his strengths.
‘I am a defender that is strong in the air, it is one of my best attributes but I can also read the game well. I feel that I am strong, brave and passionate and I am excited to get started. I want to improve and progress as a footballer and I want to help the club as much as I can to improve the results and to be successful. I think that I have all of the characteristics required to play in English football and I want to progress my career with Nottingham Forest.’
