Tyler Bindon sends Reading farewell message as Nottingham Forest arrival beckons

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Tyler Bindon will arrive at Nottingham Forest in the summer with high expectations, given the remarkable season he has enjoyed at League One Reading.

So strong has his influence been at Reading that Bindon has been predicted to be worth over £30m in just a few years by those who have watched his progress closely in League One.

He was a complete unknown to the Reds before Forest signed Bindon on deadline day, but week after week, his performances have caught the eye, so much so that Bindon won New Zealand’s Emerging Talent award for 2024.

Bindon won Reading’s Player of the Year award as a farewell to the Royals, but has now penned an emotional goodbye on social media.

Tyler Bindon’s heartwarming farewell before Nottingham Forest switch

Already, Bindon has expressed his excitement about pre-season at Forest as he takes his delayed first steps into being a Premier League player, but he was clearly keen to thank everyone at Reading before this.

He took to Instagram and said: “To the staff, players, fans, and everyone connected to the club, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“It has been an absolute honour to call myself a Royal for the past two years. I’ve loved every moment and every connection made. The memories will stay with me forever. I will miss you all. Thank you for everything.”

A show of tremendous character from the 20-year-old, Nuno Espirito Santo will surely be even more excited to welcome Bindon into the Forest squad, knowing that he has the maturity to back up his talent.

He’ll be sorely missed at Reading, though, whose manager, Noel Hunt, gave a message of his own to the departing Bindon.

Reading manager hails ‘special’ Tyler Bindon upon exit

Bindon hasn’t been the only Forest success story in the EFL this season, as Dale Taylor won Wigan Athletic’s Player of the Season too, but the Kiwi’s impact at Reading seems incomparable.

This sentiment is echoed in how Hunt spoke of Bindon to the Reading Chronicle, heaping even more praise on the centre-back.

Hunt said: “He [Bindon] has been immense all season, since he came in the door. He came in with me and had his first training session and I remember walking down and saying, ‘if we don’t sign him, I may as well give up my job.’

“I hadn’t seen a 17-year-old like him before. He has proven to be just that- a special boy. He is a fantastic kid, a fantastic character with an amazing family and we wish him all the best.”

Pre-season will already be exciting given the potential for signings, but Bindon’s integration into life at the City Ground will be something to look out for too.