Nottingham Forest have signed Welsh International Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a two-year deal after the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace shot-stopper put pen to paper following his move from recently relegated Premier League outfit Burnley where he was largely understudy to England International Nick Pope last season.
World Cup bound Hennesey, now aged 35 but with over 100 caps for Wales, joins the Reds as cover for on-loan Manchester United star Dean Henderson who has also signed recently with Brice Samba leaving the club for Lens in France.
Also leaving the City Ground will be Lewis Grabban, who has scored 55 goals in 147 appearances for Forest, the former Bournemouth and Sunderland striker is the Reds highest goalscorer this side of the millennium but now aged 34 is looking for a new challenge, despite being offered a year’s contract by the club, having played a huge part in last season’s playoff winning campaign.
Club captain Grabban found chances limited towards the end of last season with the introduction of on loan Keinan Davis and Sam Surridge largely ahead of him in the pecking order up front, with Forest now promoted to the Premier League, the Croydon born forward understands chances may be even fewer and further between next season, so leaves with a number of clubs at home and abroad, interested in his signature where he’ll hope to be playing more regularly.
A couple of recent loan exits have also helped strip down the Forest squad ahead of the new campaign. Jonathan Panzo has joined Coventry City on loan for the whole of next season whilst fellow youngster, Fin Back joins Carlisle United where he’ll gain much-needed experience in the depths of League Two. Recently, striker Will Swan joined Mansfield Town of the same division whilst Tyrese Fornah left for Reading where he’ll hope to continue his fine development as a promising looking footballer.
This weekend, Forest travel to Barnsley for a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon (5:30pm) before a trip to Burton on Wednesday where the Reds will take on Hertha Berlin at the Pirelli Stadium (7pm Kick Off).
The City Ground currently having some necessary upgrades, including the implementation of cameras ahead of using VAR, for the clubs first season back in the Premier League for 23 years.
Finally the Reds Women are also in pre-season friendly action this weekend as they take on Sheffield United at the Randox Health Academy in Yorkshire on Sunday (2pm).
A week later (24th July) the Reds travel to Birmingham City before a home match with Lincoln (at the Halbrooke Stadium, Eastwood) on Thursday 28th July (8pm) and a tough looking test to follow at Liverpool on 31st July.
Forest then host Newcastle United (again at Eastwood) on Sunday 7th August 2pm, before ending their pre-season at Sunderland on August 14th.
*Main image @NFFC Wayne Hennessey joins Forest during a World Cup year for Wales.
