Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has signed a contract extension at Nottingham Forest, effectively ending speculation of him leaving the club this summer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aina was one of Forest’s best players last season, contributing two goals and one assist in 35 Premier League appearances to help his team reach an unprecedented seventh-place finish.
The 28-year-old right-back was solid defensively and very consistent. Following his impressive showing, he attracted interest from a few clubs.
Premier League money bags, Manchester City, were heavily linked with him in the January transfer window as a replacement for Kyle Walker, who had lost form.
However, they did not get him. Since then, the issue lingered. To add to the uncertainty surrounding Aina’s future, his contract was supposed to expire at the end of last season.
But it was later confirmed that there was an automatic one-year extension clause in his contract if the Tricky Trees did not get relegated. Nontheless, it still meant his contract would expire at the end of next season.
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Due to that, Nottingham Forest had been trying to get Aina to sign an extension to keep him at the club a little longer, but they have now succeeded.
This is as The New York Times reports that Aina has signed a fresh two-year extension that will keep him at Nottingham Forest until the summer of 2028.
Aina’s renewal comes after Nottingham Forest completed contract extensions for coach Nuno Espirito Santo and center-back Murillo.
Ola Aina Must Brace for a Big Season with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s fairytale seventh-place finish last season means they will be playing UEFA Conference League football next season, and that automatically means they will play more games.
This is a situation that Aina and most of his teammates are not used to. In fact, the highest level he has reached is the UEFA Europa League qualifiers with Torino in 2020.
Most times, small clubs like Nottingham Forest struggle to keep up with continental football, and their league placement at the end of the season ultimately tells the story.
Aina would have to be at his best week in, week out if he wants to maintain his place as an integral part of the team.