Lewis O’Brien signed for D.C. United on Monday and two Nottingham Forest forwards have reacted on Instagram. The midfielder ended months of frustration and opted to sign for Wayne Rooney’s team.
Forest had agreed to loan out O’Brien to Blackburn during the January transfer window. Rovers submitted the incorrect paperwork, however, and after an appeal the deal was off.
In the meantime, the Reds had already submitted their 25-man squad for the second half of the campaign with O’Brien omitted. His last Forest appearance came on January 14th against Leicester at the City Ground.
It’s not completely clear what the future holds for O’Brien. It’s been claimed that there is an option for D.C. United to sign him permanently but if Forest go down, they’ll surely want him back.
O’Brien made 14 appearances for Forest during the first half of 2022/23. The Reds midfielder sadly fell down the pecking order around the World Cup after picking up an illness.
The Reds will hope that he can play plenty of football during his time in the States. If he does, he could return to the City Ground with his confidence back and prove to be an asset.
Forest forwards react on Instagram as O’Brien leaves
It’s all been a bit of a mess regarding O’Brien. He cost the club £10 million during the summer transfer window and he was tipped for big things at the City Ground.
Hopefully, this isn’t the end for the man who starred for Huddersfield on Trentside and maybe he will return to the club during the summer.
It certainly seems as though he’s popular in the dressing room. In the aftermath of his departure, Brennan Johnson and Sam Surridge have both reacted on Instagram.
Johnson was first to comment, saying: “All the best brother.”
Striker Surridge wasn’t far behind and he said: “Good luck mate.”
O’Brien also received plenty of messages from Huddersfield players past and present; highlighting that he’s a likeable player inside the dressing room.
The 24-year-old will be buzzing to play some regular football under Rooney. A big challenge for O’Brien is showcasing to Forest that they made a huge mistake in letting him go.