Nottingham Forest stars Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams have reacted after Sam Surridge announced he was leaving the club.
The Reds striker is expected to be unveiled as a Nashville SC player later this week, ending 18 months at the City Ground.
Surridge was signed from Stoke in January 2022. He scored eight goals for the Reds during 2021/22 and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.
Last season proved frustrating for the player, however. He started just one game in the league and that came on the opening day of the season at Newcastle.
He did manage to score in the Premier League for the first time in his career. Surridge bagged Forest’s equaliser as they drew 1-1 with Bournemouth in January.
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Surridge needs to play football on a regular basis. At 24-years-old, he will be craving starts and Forest can’t offer him that at the moment.
Nashville represents an intriguing move for the player. Leeds were interested at one point and after they dropped into the EFL that might have proved a good move.
Now, it looks as though he’s chosen the MLS. It was reported at the weekend that Nashville were leading the chase and Surridge should thrive in the United States.
Johnson and Williams react as Surridge says he’s leaving Forest
The striker will definitely leave a sizeable void in the dressing room. It would appear that just the formalities of his departure now need to be resolved.
Cooper bought Surridge and he’s served a purpose. His goals were crucial in the race to win promotion but the Premier League proved a bridge too far.
Johnson reacted on his Instagram message first, posting: “Was a pleasure.” He also finished the post with a crying emoji and two love hearts.
Wales international Williams was next to respond. He posted: “All the best you big crab.”
Surridge has perhaps proved the right player for Forest at the wrong time. His finishing in the Championship was outstanding but he’s struggled for game time in the top-flight.
Now, he has a chance to play in a league that is growing with each passing year. Lewis O’Brien has just produced the goods over there and now it’s the turn of Surridge.
He will get nothing but praise from the fan base. He deserves well wishes and he will forever be remembered as a promotion-winner at Forest.