Former Nottingham Forest man Arvin Appiah has signed for Malaga on loan for the remainder of 2022/23. The winger spent the first half of the season on loan with Tenerife but failed to hold down a place in the team.
Eyebrows were raised when Almeria parted with a sum of £8 million to sign Appiah in 2019. He had barely made the grade at the City Ground and some predicted great business for the Reds.
Others had their reservations but they needn’t have worried. Appiah has struggled to find any real form since leaving Trentside and is now scratching around in the second tier of Spanish football.
In truth, it might be one of the best pieces of business that Forest have ever done. Appiah’s dream move to Spain has become a nightmare and now he will hope to kick-start his career at Malaga.
Since leaving Forest, Appiah has made 62 appearances for Almeria and scored four goals. He’s also spent time on loan with Ludo and Tenerife, failing to make any impact at either club.
Appiah scored just one for Forest during his handful of appearances. That goal came during a Carabao Cup clash against Burton Albion in 2018 when he fired home a consolation goal.
Pepe Mel’s team are in dire straits at the moment. Appiah signs for Malaga as they sit second bottom of the Segunda Division and have won just four of the 22 league games they’ve played during the 2022/23 campaign.
Ex-Forest man Appiah signs for Malaga
The youngster is desperate for a bit of a confidence boost. Things haven’t really got going for Appiah and much like Oliver Burke, his career has stalled since leaving the City Ground.
At 22-years-old, the player does have time on his side. This latest loan move gives him another opportunity and it will be one that he will be keen to ensure doesn’t pass him by.
Forest fans never like to see their own academy stars fail after leaving the club. For Appiah, however, the jury remains out and he will hope his Malaga stint can prove the turning point of his career.