Forest's new 'keeper - "hopefully we can achieve some great things together"
Matz Sels has joined the Reds from Strasbourg
Last updated 2nd Feb 2024
Nottingham Forest's last minute signing has been speaking to club for the first time.
They signed veteran goalkeeper Matz Sels from French club Strasbourg late last night - on transfer deadline day.
The deal's understood to be worth ÂŁ5million.
The 31-year old Belgian has previously played 9 games for Newcastle United - having started his career at Lierse and Gent."
"Hopefully we can achieve some great things together"
Speaking on Forest's YouTube channel he says he's very happy to be playing in the Premier League - calling it "a dream:"
Sels says he's "very happy to be here" and is looking forward to starting and meeting his teammates.
Earlier in the day, Forest had signed 18-year-old striker Rodrigo Ribeiro on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
And they also confirmed Orel Mangala had completed a loan move to Lyon, who have the option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Thoughts of boss, Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says his squad is now more balanced after the late flurry of activity in the transfer window.
Nuno wanted to drastically trim his squad during the window and now feels he has a tighter group suited to his needs ahead of Sunday's visit to Bournemouth.
"I think we have been able to bring in players that we think are going to be helpful for us, gives us more options. I always said that it is a very difficult window to operate, it is hard, you can see how the clubs were quiet and not too much going on."
"Matz is here because he is a good goalkeeper"
Forest were looking at bringing goalkeeper David de Gea in but eventually settled on Sels from French side Strasbourg, with Nuno not biting on whether the former Manchester United captain was an option.
"He was playing usually at the club so he can help us also and give us another option for the goalkeepers," he said. "We are still waiting on the permit for him to be available.
"All the players that have come, the idea is for them to help us and give us solutions.
"It is not about choices. Matz is here because he is a good goalkeeper. He is experienced, he is playing regularly and gives us another option. It is up to us then to decide which is the moment (to play him).
"A thousand names came out, most of them are not true so let's stop the speculation about that."
Forest go to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.