Nottingham Forest let Anel Ahmedhodzic was allowed to leave the City Ground for free in 2019 and last night he was named in the Championship Team of the Year.
The Sheffield United player has enjoyed a fine season. At the EFL awards night in London, he put a wonderful cap on the campaign by being named in the Team of the Year by his peers.
Forest never got to see the quality of Ahmedhodzic. After proving himself as a burgeoning talent, the player sought a return to Malmo after becoming homesick in England.
It was with the Swedish outfit where he grew as a player. He caught the eye of Manchester United and Chelsea with his performances but moved to Bramall Lane last summer for £3 million.
The Blades have enjoyed a brilliant season. They’ve bounced back from the disappointment of losing to Forest in last season’s play-offs and need just one win to secure promotion to the Premier League.
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Ahmedhodzic has made 38 appearances for United this season. He’s scored five goals and claimed two assists, although his strong modern-day approach to defending has caught the eye.
The man with 20 caps for Bosnia will now relish a crack at the Premier League. United have hit the jackpot with the man who came through the Forest academy and he’s proved to be a brilliant signing.
Ahmedhodzic starring after Forest exit
The uncompromising defender has taken to English football really well. At 24-years-old, the player has bags of time to continue developing and Sheffield United have themselves a real gem.
Forest had Ahmedhodzic at a difficult time. He was very young when he left the City Ground and a lack of senior action probably didn’t help his mindset living in England.
The centre-back only made one appearance for the Reds. That came during a six-minute cameo during a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle and he jumped at the chance to return to Malmo.
Next year will be a huge one for Ahmedhodzic. If he can prove himself at the Premier League level, perhaps he could still earn a move to a huge English club at some point after all.
Phil Jagielka certainly thinks he will step up. He called him ‘tremendous’ earlier this season, following another outstanding performance for the Blades.