Nottingham Forest announce Rodrigo Ribeiro loan deal

Nottingham Forest have announced that they have signed Sporting Lisbon youngster Rodrigo Ribeiro.

Despite having recently been charged with breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability regulations, Forest are making a late attempt to bring in several fresh faces.

On Wednesday night, the East Midlands outfit confirmed that Giovanni Reyna had arrived on loan from Borussia Dortmund, while they are also in the market for a new goalkeeper.

However, Forest have begun their deadline day activity by revealing that they have completed the loan signing of Ribeiro.

Forest have added that they hold the option to complete a permanent transfer in the summer for a player who has made a total of seven senior appearances for Sporting.

Nevertheless, none of those outings have come during 2023-24, the 18-year-old having instead being restricted to youth outings as well as remaining as an unused substitute on occasions with the first team.

Rodrigo is a Red ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/cyegQo0cw0

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 1, 2024

The Portugal Under-20 international remains highly rated at Estadio Jose Alvalade, though, with six goals coming from nine UEFA Youth League fixtures last season.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has sometimes been left short of attacking options in recent weeks, a result of several injuries, although that is expected to ease in the foreseeable future.

As a result of Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal, Forest sit in 16th position in the Premier League standings, two points above the relegation zone.

Ribeiro will be eligible to feature in the squad for the fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday, but the teenager must sit out the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Bristol City three days later courtesy of not being registered for the initial tie.