Ola Aina Signs New Deal with Nottingham Forest
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest, putting an end to speculation that he might leave the club this summer.
Aina was one of Forest’s standout players last season, scoring two goals and providing one assist in 35 Premier League games. His strong performances helped the team achieve a surprising seventh-place finish — the club’s best in years.
The 28-year-old right-back was praised for his solid defending and consistency. His form caught the attention of several clubs, including Manchester City, who were reportedly interested in signing him during the January transfer window as a potential replacement for Kyle Walker. However, a move never happened.
There was some uncertainty around Aina’s future as his original contract was due to expire at the end of last season. But it was later revealed that the deal included an automatic one-year extension if Forest avoided relegation, meaning he was already secured until 2026.
Still, Forest were keen to tie him down for even longer — and now they’ve succeeded. According to The New York Times, Aina has signed a fresh two-year contract extension, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2028.
His new deal comes shortly after Forest also extended the contracts of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo and defender Murillo.
With Forest qualifying for next season’s UEFA Conference League, Aina and his teammates are preparing for a busy schedule. It will be a new experience for most of the squad, who aren’t used to balancing European football with Premier League demands.
Aina’s only previous taste of European competition came in 2020 when he played in the Europa League qualifiers for Torino. Now, he will need to perform at a high level every week if he wants to remain a key player in what promises to be a challenging season for Forest.
The coming months will test the strength and depth of the squad, and Aina will be expected to play a big role as they aim to compete both in England and in Europe.
