Lewis O'Brien remains determined to show Nottingham Forest what he is capable of following his loan switch to DC United - and insists he has no regrets about joining the Reds.
The 24-year-old joined Wayne Rooney's MLS side until July, after a move to Blackburn Rovers fell through on deadline day in January. O'Brien was unable to feature for Steve Cooper's side after being left out of the squad for the second half of the season.
Speaking to I newspaper in America, the midfielder was asked about whether there had been any regret joining Forest, to which O'Brien responded: "No one would turn down the opportunity to play in the Premier League and I don’t regret signing for Forest.
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"The first six or seven games, I was starting and, in my opinion, playing pretty well in a team that was gaining a foothold in the league. I felt like I held my own and, against West Ham, I got Player of the Match, live on Sky, and we won 1-0.
"Manchester City were definitely the hardest opponents, we couldn’t even get near them and it was like playing a different game completely. That made me realise the standard I needed to aspire to."
Following his move to the MLS, it emerged that the deal included an option to buy, something that was picked up on by Forest fans. However, it was confirmed that MLS rules require clubs to have that option inserted into every loan deal.
Although that may have brought some uncertainty, O'Brien is clear about his future at the City Ground - from his point of view. "I’m not going to hold a grudge about what happened in January. I want to go back and prove to Forest and myself what I’m capable of – I feel very strongly about that – because my best is definitely yet to come," he said.
"I believe I can come out of what has been a crazy situation as a better person with some fantastic life experience behind me."
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