Nottingham Forest defender Jayden Richardson has joined Aberdeen as the man to replace Calvin Ramsey who has signed for Liverpool.
The Reds confirmed the departure of their academy player last night. He has penned a permanent contract and joins Jim Goodwin’s team immediately.
Richardson looked like he might earn a Forest shot under Chris Hughton. He played in both Carabao Cup games during 2021/22 and also stepped off the bench twice in the Championship.
Richardson finished the season on loan at Notts County. He made 25 appearances for the Meadow Lane outfit as they lost in the quarter-final of the play-offs.
The 21-year-old also spent time on loan at Exeter and Forest Green previously and he can operate in either wing-back position.
Ramsey departed Aberdeen last week. He joined Liverpool as a backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold for a fee in the region of £6.5 million.
Now Richardson will be tasked with filling the void left by the highly-rated Scottish performer. He has penned a three-year deal with the Dons and will start pre-season training immediately.
Forest still need to solve the right-sided wing-back conundrum of their own. Djed Spence is unlikely to return and Liverpool defender Neco Williams has been linked with a move to the City Ground.
The man to step up won’t be Richardson. He will now have the chance to stick some roots down and try and push his career forward to the next level.
Richardson has joined Aberdeen and he has big shoes to fill
Despite his tender years, Richardson has two-and-a-half years of first-team action under his belt following various loan spells.
Given that he’s tasked with replacing Ramsey, he will need to call upon that experience in order to leave Aberdeen fans asking, Calvin who?
The Reds academy graduate will perhaps be a bit disappointed not to get a Forest chance. Ultimately, promotion to the Premier League ended his slim chances of a new deal on Trentside.
Richardson leaves with the club’s best wishes. Now, supporters will look towards the Scottish Premiership with intrigue at how the youngster will get on at his new club.