Chelsea's Cobham product Aina reveals why he joined two-time European champions

Chelsea's Cobham product Ola Aina has revealed why he joined two-time European champions Nottingham Forest.

Aina became Forest's first signing of the summer transfer window when the club officially announced his arrival on their website on Saturday.

​The Super Eagles right-back joined for free after the expiration of his contract with Serie A side Torino last month.

The Nigerian defender will be expected to slug it out with Ivorian International Serge Aurier for the right-back slot in Steve Cooper's side.

The 26-year-old has revealed that it was always their intention to return to the Premier League and why he decided to join the one-time English league champions.

"I'm very excited to be here and I can't wait to get started," Aina said to Nottingham Forest's official website.

"I felt like I wanted to be back on English soil again and Forest is a club which has an exciting project and exciting team.

"The manager as well, what he wants from the team is something which I want to buy into. He's told me it's a family club, he's told me we have a great bunch of players and he's told me I'll enjoy it here.

"It's exciting to be back playing in the Premier League. It's the best league in the world and I always want to challenge myself. I want to stay at this level for longer.

"I know some of the boys well already, which is good for me, but I'm excited to meet the rest of my teammates and get to know everyone.

"I saw Forest in action last season and the fans are as loud as can be throughout the whole game, which is something I'm relishing and can't wait to experience. I can't wait for it."

​The London-born defender is a graduate of Chelsea Academy and won two FA Youth Cups, two UEFA Youth League titles and an U21 Premier League title as a youngster.
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He is a Premier League-proven player having played for Fulham on loan in the 2020/2021 campaign registering 33 appearances and getting nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Season.
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The Cobham product is the third Nigerian International at the City Ground with Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis being the other two.

    
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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