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Neco Williams: Nottingham Forest sign Liverpool defender

Last updated on .From the section Nottm Forestcomments401

Neco Williams celebrates with Wales team mates
Williams helped Wales beat Ukraine in June to secure their place at the World Cup in Qatar

Nottingham Forest have completed the £17m signing of Liverpool defender Neco Williams on a four-year deal.

The Wales right-back, 21, helped Fulham gain promotion to the Premier League after joining them on loan in January.

Williams is Forest's sixth signing of the transfer window as they prepare to return to the top flight.

"Forest are a club with incredible history and the City Ground is a very special venue that I can't wait to experience in full voice," he said.

"I'm really excited to join Forest and to help this great club move forwards in the Premier League.

"Having spoken to the head coach, there's a huge amount of ambition being shown and I can't wait to join up with my new team-mates and get ready for the challenge ahead," he added.

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Williams, who reached an agreement with Forest on Thursday, has 21 Wales caps and was influential as they secured a place at this year's World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years.

Williams, who came through the academy at Liverpool and made his first-team debut against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in 2019, featured in the Champions League group stage for Jurgen Klopp's side last season before his loan switch to the Cottagers.

Forest were promoted via the Championship play-offs last season and have already bolstered their squad with incoming players including Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi and defender Giulian Biancone.

Forest boss Steve Cooper said: "We're delighted to have him on board. We believe he's got an incredibly high ceiling and can play a huge role for us in our return to the Premier League."

Williams will join Forest at training on Monday before Tuesday's friendly with Burton Albion.

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401 comments

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 10:12 11 Jul 2022

    Good purchase Forest. Not quite good enough to dislodge Trent but always reliable for us and bloody awesome for Wales every time he puts on that shirt. All the best Neco - you deserve to become a well established right back in the Premier League.

    • Reply posted by not for turning , at 10:28 11 Jul 2022

      not for turning replied:
      Buy a young scottish right back for 4 mill sell a welsh one for 17 mill sweet

  • Comment posted by Griddlestick, at 10:11 11 Jul 2022

    Cooper is building a team here with the potential to not only stay up but then consolidate a mid table position. No huge egos or marquee signings just excellent quality that he has already proven he can develop and improve. Great signs of a great future ahead!

    • Reply posted by gary, at 10:23 11 Jul 2022

      gary replied:
      totally agree. it bodes well for the future going to have some real talent at the club for many years .

  • Comment posted by gadgyarab, at 10:19 11 Jul 2022

    Good deal for Neco, Liverpool and Forest...

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 13:38 11 Jul 2022

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      An excellent signing by Forest. The lad will do well for them.

  • Comment posted by neil, at 10:56 11 Jul 2022

    From the shadows of a Trent to the banks of the Trent. Best of luck Neco.

    • Reply posted by Ingold, at 12:28 11 Jul 2022

      Ingold replied:
      You win my “One Line Football Poetry Award”

  • Comment posted by Eye_Said, at 10:28 11 Jul 2022

    The league has become a joke - how can Man Utd (current net spend £13.5m) possibly compete with huge clubs like Forest and Southampton (net spends almost £40m) and Brentford (£14.7m)?

    Something's got to change!
    (Utd fans - just a daft joke; I know you're about to do big signings!)

    This seems a good signing by Forest - though quite expensive. Hope he lives up to it - and more.

    • Reply posted by NB22, at 10:53 11 Jul 2022

      NB22 replied:
      Just you wait until all those 99.9% "close", agreed in principle, tentatively accepted and waiting on toner for the fax machine contracts get made official, Utd will be having the last laugh then.

  • Comment posted by KR, at 10:44 11 Jul 2022

    That's a good bit of business by the buying club, the selling club and a good move for the player. Everyone will be happy with this move.

    • Reply posted by Winners And Sinners, at 14:30 11 Jul 2022

      Winners And Sinners replied:
      Nottingham Forest are definitely making the most transfer noise of the three promoted teams. Hopefully, this all will translate into a very successfully season for them.
      They have made some quality signings this summer.

  • Comment posted by Honest_Mo, at 10:34 11 Jul 2022

    Neco and Brennan's link up down that right hand side could be massive for Forest and Wales.

    • Reply posted by Me again, at 12:00 11 Jul 2022

      Me again replied:
      He often plays on the left for Wales as well.

  • Comment posted by Wylde Greeny, at 10:17 11 Jul 2022

    Straight into my FPL team as a £4m enabler

    • Reply posted by DanWilko, at 11:40 11 Jul 2022

      DanWilko replied:
      Bad move

  • Comment posted by LuThe, at 10:22 11 Jul 2022

    Disappointed to lose Neco, looked good in his last appearance for LFC and did a decent job for Fulham.

    Despite Ramsey, think Joe, especially after contract extension, will be first backup.

    Good transfer for Neco to get consistent starts, good income for LFC, all parties better off.

    Hoping Awoniyi works out too, shame he couldn't get the work permit for LFC, best of luck to Forest

    • Reply posted by SammyV, at 21:31 11 Jul 2022

      SammyV replied:
      If he continues progressing, who knows? Might end up back at Anfield again one day...

  • Comment posted by He dont mean nuffin by it he only got one ear, at 10:39 11 Jul 2022

    Good to see Forest back in the top flight.
    I wish them well.

    • Reply posted by Mark , at 16:02 11 Jul 2022

      Mark replied:
      Many neutrals will agree including me.

  • Comment posted by Man of Kent, at 10:07 11 Jul 2022

    Good buy for Forest.

    • Reply posted by SammyV, at 21:32 11 Jul 2022

      SammyV replied:
      Brian Clough would nod his head in agreement. Wouldn't smile though, lol!

  • Comment posted by Big Ted , at 10:08 11 Jul 2022

    Best of luck to the kid. Was only ever going to be back up to TAA and needs to play regularly. Good move for all parties

  • Comment posted by JackDT, at 10:46 11 Jul 2022

    Attacking minded wing back, will suit our system well in lieu of Djed Spence wanting to join Tottenham. Already has a great relationship with Brennan. Perhaps a bit expensive, but bags of potential.

    • Reply posted by Lord Bagot, at 13:07 11 Jul 2022

      Lord Bagot replied:
      Exactly that - an ideal replacement for Spence, who, rumour has it, despite us offering more money than Spurs, wants to go to Spurs. Can't blame him given our 23 year exile from the promised land but hope he doesn't live to regret it - a la Sessegnon. Career killer!

  • Comment posted by PFD, at 10:45 11 Jul 2022

    Forest will do well in the PL, definitely won't look out of place.

    • Reply posted by THE CLUDGIE 77, at 10:47 11 Jul 2022

      THE CLUDGIE 77 replied:
      I agree.

      I expect them to stay up comfortably.

  • Comment posted by Alan Citos, at 10:53 11 Jul 2022

    Sad to see him leave Liverpool but he was never going to oust Trent for a place in the first eleven. Hope he does well at Forest and realises his full potential.

  • Comment posted by LukeJacks, at 10:26 11 Jul 2022

    Nice business for both sides. Williams looked good in a Liverpool shirt, hope he carries on and has a good career.

    • Reply posted by SammyV, at 21:34 11 Jul 2022

      SammyV replied:
      Not always. Saw him skinned by Scully and Johnson in the Carabao cup up at Lincoln a couple of years ago, but it is how you bounce back from that, that matters...

  • Comment posted by D1672928687487, at 10:31 11 Jul 2022

    Neco is a great player, he will do well at Forest. His only issue at Liverpool was he was trying to get into the team against one of the top 3 right backs in the league in Trent

    • Reply posted by AP, at 10:47 11 Jul 2022

      AP replied:
      Trent should play in midfield. Its clear defending is the worst aspect of his play.

  • Comment posted by Baggyone, at 10:16 11 Jul 2022

    Good luck I say. A good understudy for TAA but his gametime will always be behind Trents. I reckon forest will be an excellent fit for him.

    • Reply posted by SammyV, at 21:35 11 Jul 2022

      SammyV replied:
      He is very young still, give the lad time!

  • Comment posted by D73, at 10:47 11 Jul 2022

    Decent player but unfortunately he won't get too many chances at Liverpool other than Cup games so its a good move for his career and Liverpool receive a decent size fee so everyone wins.

  • Comment posted by OnWardUpWard, at 10:34 11 Jul 2022

    Good signing and sorry to him go but the guy needs regular playing time and we can’t give him that.

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