Nottingham Forest finally confirmed their retained list today, with the expected departure of 12 players
Michael Dawson has left the club at the age of 37, after a senior career spanning over 20 years with the Reds, Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City.
Glenn Murray has hung up his boots, also at 37, while the contracts of Sammy Ameobi, Yuri Riberio, Samba Sow, Abdoulaye Diallo and Michael Hefele have all expired.
And loan players Cyrus Christie, Luke Freeman, James Garner, Anthony Knockaert and Filip Krovinovic all return to their parent clubs. However, it’s no secret that Chris Hughton, as well as most Forest fans, is keen to see Garner return on loan from Manchester United next season.
The likes of Gaetan Bong, Carl Jenkinson, Fouad Bachirou and Harry Arter are all believed to be free to find other clubs, although this is always easier said than done.
Hughton’s challenge for the summer, alongside what could be a new recruitment team at the City Ground, will be to add five or six quality new players.
Chairman Nicholas Randall, QC, said: “Michael has been the epitomy of the model professional that we strive to produce from the academy at Nottingham Forest. He has carried himself with great dignity throughout his career and he can receive no greater accolade than the caps he received representing England.
“He has enjoyed a fantastic career and we hope to still see him at the City Ground as he moves onto the next phase of his career.”
Chris Hughton said: “I was fortunate enough to work with Michael during our time at Tottenham and now again at Forest. He should be mightily proud of the career that he has had in the game and whether he continues playing or follows a different path, I’m sure he will continue to be a great success.”
Dawson added: “It’s been frustrating that I haven’t been able to say goodbye to the fans in person but I hope to be back at the City Ground again very soon.
“Forest has been a massive part of my life since I first put the shirt on at the age of nine. It will always be close to my heart and I leave with some fantastic memories. To start as a schoolboy, get in the first team under Paul Hart and then be able to come back later in my career has been a dream come true.”
