Transfers have been a hot topic when it comes to Nottingham Forest in recent weeks and months.
Head coach Steve Cooper is facing the challenge of trying to get a new-look squad to gel, following a summer shopping spree which resulted in a British record 22 signings made. It is all with the aim of trying to ensure the Reds can hold their own in the Premier League.
On the face of it, the club look to have done some good business. Forest have had mixed success on that front in the past, with a fair few hits, as well as plenty of misses.
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We’ve picked out our top five Reds signings from the last 30 years. Let us know who would be your picks.
Stan Collymore
Not only is the striker one of Forest’s top transfers of the past 30 years, he is arguably among the club’s all-time best signings. Collymore’s stay at the City Ground might have been short, but there is no disputing its brilliance.
Signed for £2.25m from Southend, he made his mark in two seasons on the banks of the Trent. Capable of getting fans out of their seats, he was exciting to watch and proved an exquisite, as well as prolific, goalscorer.
His 19 goals helped secure promotion in his first year. And he bagged 22 the following campaign as the Reds finished third in the top-flight. A bona fide club legend.
Bryan Roy
After Collymore had helped fire Forest to promotion in 1994, the arrival of Roy proved a vital piece of the jigsaw for the incredible campaign which followed. The pair struck up an impressive partnership.
Although a then-club record £2.9m was shelled out to secure Roy’s services from Italian outfit Foggia, it was a shrewd bit of business. “Bryan is the only player I played with whereby a manager called me and asked my opinion,” Collymore has recalled.
The Dutchman’s 13 league goals in his first season, along with the ones he set up for Collymore were key to the Reds’ third-placed finish and clinching of a place in Europe. He notched double-figures again the following year, after Collymore had been sold, before having a more difficult time in his third season.
Lars Bohinen
A firm fans’ favourite. That he still holds a place in supporters’ affections despite going on to play for arch-rivals Derby County says much about the Norwegian and the lasting impression he made.
Much like Collymore, while Bohinen didn’t stay at Forest for long - just two years - he captivated in that time with his talent and eye for a wonder goal.
Recruited by Frank Clark from Swiss side Young Boys for a bargain £450,000 in 1993, it proved to be a terrific deal. Playing his part in that memorable promotion-winning season, Bohinen then showcased his skills in the top-flight, before moving on to Blackburn Rovers in 1995.
Chris Cohen
Whereas Collymore, Roy and Bohinen’s Forest spells were relatively short, Cohen practically became part of the City Ground furniture. He spent 11 years Trentside as a player, followed by a couple more working with the club’s Under-23s, before moving on to Luton Town.
Cohen arrived in 2007, in a £1.2m joint deal with Arron Davies from Yeovil Town. He went on to make more than 270 league appearances.
It would have been more, but for injury. A versatile player who was a superb servant and became an influential presence on and off the pitch, he’ll always be a Reds hero.
Lewis Grabban
A few of last season’s promotion-winning squad could have been contenders for this list, but Grabban makes it by virtue of longevity and influence. His impact wasn’t all about what he did last term.
It was a significant outlay by the Reds when they bought the striker from Bournemouth in 2018 for £6m. However, it proved to be value for money.
Grabban became the first Forest player to reach the 20 goals in a season milestone for 17 years, when he achieved that feat in 2019/20. He might well have gone on to hit that landmark again last term, but for injury.
Being sidelined prevented him from playing in May’s play-off final. But the part he played in getting Forest there in the first place should not be underestimated.
Who are your top five Forest signings of the past 30 years? Have your say in the comments below
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