Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has lauded Jordan Smith after allowing him to leave the City Ground. The goalkeeper has departed after spending 20 years with the Reds.
For the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, Smith signed for Huddersfield on a loan deal. He didn’t make a single appearance for the Terriers, with Neil Warnock preferring other options.
Smith was surprisingly handed a new deal at Forest last summer. Ultimately, however, this time around he’s not been quite so fortunate and at 28-years-old, he’s now looking for a new club.
The stopper has barely played for the Reds over the last few years. He didn’t make a single appearance under Cooper but the player has come in for some praise from the club’s head coach.
He told the official website: “Jordan has been an incredible servant to Nottingham Forest.
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“During my time working with him, he has shown excellent commitment to doing his best for the good of the football club.
“He has made a real contribution with his positive outlook and work ethic. On behalf of everyone at Nottingham Forest, we wish him well for the future.”
Cooper has lauded Smith after releasing him from Forest
It’s fair to say that this is for the best. At 28, Smith must head out somewhere and play the regular football that he so desperately craves.
Smith hasn’t played regularly for years and he’s at risk of stagnating somewhat. Now, he has the perfect opportunity to head out and play somewhere.
The goalkeeper should get a gig somewhere in the Football League. He didn’t play for Huddersfield but he should be capable of performing somewhere.
It’s interesting that Cooper has heaped praise on the goalkeeper. Clearly, his professionalism never came into question and Smith has been a decent servant.
Ultimately, he’s never going to be a Premier League goalkeeper, however, and Forest have made the right call.