Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Samba Sow has taken his career full circle by signing a deal with French club Lens. The player confirmed his new deal on Instagram, receiving congratulatory messages from Brice Samba and John Bostock.
Sow proved a likeable figure during his two years at the City Ground. He wasn’t handed a contract extension by Chris Hughton, however, departing in the summer.
In fairness, a new contract would have been a surprise. Although Sow was popular with the fan base, he was often found gracing the treatment table with his presence.
During 2020/21, he managed just 16 appearances for the Reds in all competitions and failed to play again after a 0-0 draw with Barnsley in January.
As a result, the club had to send him on his way, but he did prove a useful addition. He was a firm presence in the team that very nearly reached the play-offs during 2019/20, making 27 appearances.
Sow began his career at Lens and it’s a club he holds dearly to his heart. He made 99 appearances for the French side before fleeing the nest to join Karabukspor in 2013.
What have Samba and Bostock said about former Forest man Sow getting a new club?
Clearly, he was a popular member of the dressing room and Ryan Yates has also responded to Sow. The academy graduate has merely used an emoji, to sum up, him signing for Lens.
Bostock played nine times for Forest during the 2019/20 campaign. He has chosen to go with a two-word congratulatory message, with Brice Samba opting for just one.
It will be interesting to see just how Sow does get on. He cost the Reds £640,000 from Dinamo Moscow and with that in mind, he didn’t prove to be bad business at all.
If he can stay fit and get some game time under his belt, Lens could have themselves an exceptional free transfer.
