Latest Nottingham Forest transfer news: defender is expected to leave the Reds for Lyon in the summer window.
Moussa Niakhate has sent an emotional goodbye message as he prepares to leave Nottingham Forest for Lyon.
The defender is poised to seal a permanent move to the French club, ending his two-year tenure at the City Ground. He will follow midfielder Orel Mangala from the Reds to Lyon.
Niakhate joined Forest from Mainz in the summer of 2022, after the club was promoted to the Premier League. Injury troubles plagued him, although he contributed to his team’s survival in both of the previous two seasons. In a parting statement, a popular character on Trentside thanked Reds fans, players, and staff, as well as owner Evangelos Marinakis and his son Miltos, for their “love and support” during both good and bad times.
Niakhate posted on social media, “To the Nottingham Forest Football Family,” After two amazing seasons with you, I’ll be embarking on a new phase in my career, but not before leaving you with a message.
“Thank you for making me feel at home from the beginning. I always felt your love and support whenever I stepped onto the field, but what’s incredible is that I felt it much more at my most difficult times, particularly my injuries. That was the most difficult time of my career, but everyone at Forest, from the staff to my teammates and fans, gave me something to smile about every day, and I will never forget that.
“In the end, we have always met our goals owing to the tenacity and desire of the players and personnel who were there during this historic club’s return to the elite. We shared difficult periods as well as wonderful moments of joy at our iconic City Ground, and I am pleased and thrilled that we were able to keep our Premier League membership.
“Thank you to everyone at the club, including the fans, staff, medics, and security personnel. I shall not forget you. And to my teammates: you are all warriors. I adore you all like brothers.
“And finally, I’d want to thank Mr Marinakis and Miltos for their trust in me and much more. Respect and consideration are more important to me than football. And I can attest that you have been much more than owners to me. Thank you.
“If I could change anything about my story with you, it would be absolutely nothing. I will only have good memories of my time here. But what makes me the happiest is that I leave with the impression that you know exactly who I am, that you have worked me out, and that Nottingham Forest is more than just a football club.
