By admin 
Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Ola Aina, a Nigerian international defender.
Aina, who just left Torino, has joined Nottingham Forest on a one-year agreement, making him the club’s first signing of the summer. The deal also includes potential term options.
Aina joins Nottingham Forest following nearly five years with Torino, where he appeared 102 times in Italy’s Serie A.
Aina, who was born in London, is a former Chelsea academy graduate, having joined the club at the age of 11 and advancing through the ranks at Stamford Bridge.
Aina has represented England at all age groups from under-16 to under-20. However, he pledged allegiance to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 2017 and has since earned 30 international caps.
After his professional debut for Chelsea in August 2016, Aina left for Italy in 2019, only to make a short return to the Premier League via a loan move to Fulham during the 2020/21 campaign.
The 26-year-old played 33 times for Fulham in a season that saw him shortlisted for the Premier League Goal of the Season Award for a stunning strike against West Bromwich Albion.
On his move to Forest, Aina expressed his excitement: “I’m very excited to be here and I can’t wait to get started. I wanted to be back on English soil again and Forest is a club which has an exciting project and team. It’s exciting to be back playing in the Premier League. I always want to challenge myself and I can’t wait for it.”
Nottingham Forest’s Head Coach, Steve Cooper, and Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson, both welcomed Aina’s arrival.
Cooper stated, “We’re thrilled that Ola has joined us.” He’s a dynamic player with Premier League and Serie A experience.”
“We are delighted to welcome Ola to Forest,” Wilson added. In our interactions with him, we can see how pleased he is to join Forest and return to the Premier League after spending time in Serie A outside of England.”