Hudson-Odoi, Murillo react to Nottingham Forest’s major Ola Aina announcement
Callum Hudson Odoi and Murillo are among those that have reacted to a huge new Nottingham Forest announcement about Ola Aina.
Aina was a key man for Forest in their quest to qualify for European competition last season, with two goals and one assist in 35 Premier League appearances.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side tailed off from competing for the Champions League places to eventually finish in seventh after a final day loss to Chelsea, meaning they will participate in the Conference League next term.
Forest are set for a busy summer window, and former Everton chief Keith Wyness recently revealed to Football Insider that Nuno and owner Evangelos Marinakis will need to agree on selling some key men in the coming months to stay in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Former Chelsea youngster Aina has previously been targeted by Manchester City as a potential Kyle Walker replacement [The Sun], and Forest have now moved to announce something major regarding his future at the club.
Ola Aina extends his Forest contract until 2028
The Athletic reported on Sunday (6 July) that Aina was set to sign a new three-year deal at the City Ground, with the club wanting to tie him down as his existing contract was set to expire next summer.
Forest have now officially announced the 28-year-old’s extension, with an Instagram post on Monday, 7 July, of a graphic saying; “Ola Aina 2028” and a caption stating: “Three more years of Ola Aina.” alongside a writing emoji to signify his new deal.
The major news saw a number of his teammates react excitedly, with Callum Hudson-Odoi replying: “There he issss” alongside three fire emojis, while Neco Williams commented two handshake emojis and Murillo, Chris Wood, Nikola Milenkovic, Jota Silva and Nigeria teammate Calvin Bassey all liked the post.
Keeping Aina is a big statement of intent from Forest amid exit links
Football Insider verdict
Aina’s strong 2024/25 form will surely have seen him attract attention from numerous top teams across Europe, but The Telegraph recently reported that Forest’s “expectation” was that he would sign a new contract, and they were seemingly correct to assume as such.
Forest’s rapid climb to the upper echelons of the top-flight last season was unprecedented by those at the club and neutrals alike, and their success was partly led by the 28-year-old, who looks to be finally realising the high potential that saw him emerge from Chelsea’s academy as a youngster.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 59 | 3 | 2 |
Keeping him around certainly feels like a big statement and step forward for the club, especially considering that Anthony Elanga looks set to leave to join Newcastle United, while Football Insider’s Mick Brown recently revealed that Chelsea have turned their attention to signing Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest are in danger of losing a number of key players, with Tottenham interested in a deal to sign Hudson-Odoi, and so extending Aina’s contract is proof that they are serious about maintaining their impressive form next term, and also about trying to win the Conference League to end their trophy drought.