Nottingham Forest landed goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on a free transfer last week and previously he’s earned praise from Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Reds picked up the stopper to bolster their plethora of goalkeepers ahead of the new campaign. He checked in after leaving Club Brugge at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
He managed four appearances for the Belgian giants last season, including one during a win over Zenit in the Champions League. Horvath was largely used as a substitute, however.
Solskjaer knows all about the custodian and his quality. The 26-year-old was his number one when he was in charge of Norwegian outfit Molde.
Horvath spent four years in Norway, playing for the club 56 times and keeping 19 clean sheets. When Solskjaer was in charge he was often in possession of the gloves.
Speaking ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Brugge in the Europa League back in February 2020, Solskjaer offered an indication of exactly what Horvath is like.
He told the club’s official website: “I had Ethan (Horvath) and I sold him to Brugge after he’d been at the club for a few years. Fantastic boy, a professional, did really well to get into the US national team. It’ll be nice to meet him again.”
Are Forest getting a gem in Horvath?
Maybe. The Reds certainly needed a goalkeeper and in the 26-year-old they’ve now added a low-risk option given that he’s signed on a free.
Forest head to Northampton for their latest pre-season friendly tomorrow and supporters might get a glimpse of Horvath in action.
It seems likely that the American will go ahead of Jordan Smith in the pecking order and rival Brice Samba for the gloves.
The proof will be in the performances, although it does seem as though he has the game to become a decent goalkeeper in the English game.
Solskjaer’s previous comments certainly seem to suggest as much.