Nottingham Forest signed Jonathan Panzo yesterday and for Steve Cooper linking up with the defender was two years in the making.
With the transfer deadline on the horizon, the Reds announced the signing of the Dijon centre-back who has signed for the club on a permanent deal.
Cooper is clearly a fan of Panzo. He was an integral part of the England under-17 team that won the World Cup in 2017 under the Forest head coach.
The Reds gaffer wanted the former Chelsea trainee at Swansea. He made a move for the enforcer but was put off by Monaco’s demand of £4.2 million.
Clearly, he’s continued to monitor the defender’s career closely. The Reds have now landed Panzo from Dijon who are currently plying their trade in Ligue 2.
It would appear that Cooper has managed to get himself a bargain too. Nottinghamshire Live claim that Forest have paid just £1.5 million for Panzo’s signature.
The talented youngster arrives at the City Ground with a decent amount of first-team exposure under his belt.
He only made three appearances for Monaco but he has also managed to get experience at Cercle Brugge and Dijon.
The challenge facing Panzo now is to get himself a regular place in the first team under Cooper at Forest.
Gem: Forest could be ideal club for Panzo
Panzo will desperately want to prove himself in English football. He knows all about Cooper’s methods of management and that could see him thrive.
At 21, the defender could prove to be a really shrewd signing for the Reds. He is a left-footed defender and has bags of unearthed potential.
Panzo to England is a long time in the making and Forest could now feel the benefit of Cooper’s meticulous approach to the transfer market.
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