It’s now considered a serious possibility that Hwang Ui-jo and Josh Bowler could both leave Nottingham Forest without making a single appearance for the club.
Both players were new signings in the summer transfer window of last year. Upon their arrival, however, they were both farmed out to sister club Olympiacos on season-long loans.
The decision to loan both players out proved a poor one. Neither player featured much for the Greek giants; with both players heading back to Forest after just six months at the club.
For the second half of the season, Hwang joined FC Seoul, whilst Bowler re-joined Blackpool. Again, both players struggled to get going and ultimately they’re out of sorts as they both have now returned to Forest for pre-season.
Now, with Forest preparing for another season in the Premier League they could be deemed surplus, according to The Athletic. Hwang is now 30 and his signing perhaps looks the most peculiar.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Bowler’s signing did make sense somewhat. Had Forest been relegated, he would have been a proven Championship performer for the Reds to work during 2023/24 and Steve Cooper is a big fan of his.
At 24-years-old, the winger still has time on his side to improve. Another loan might have made sense for him this summer, although the latest reports appear to suggest that a permanent move could be on the cards.
Two Forest players could leave having never made a single appearance
It’s fair to say that Forest’s recruitment isn’t quite mastered just yet. In recent years, it’s become more meticulous but there is still work to do; with Hwang and Bowler examples of that.
The signing of Hwang is just pure bizarre. His goalscoring record with Bordeaux in France is modest at best and given his age, it was always unlikely he’d make much of an impact.
Still, it’s hard to imagine where he might rock up. He didn’t have the best of times back in South Korea and given his age, he’s hardly a sound investment for the future.
It’s no slight on these two players. Moving to Forest would have been seen as a big thing for the players. However, now it looks as though their futures could lie elsewhere.