Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall has bid a temporary farewell to the City Ground, joining Turkish giants Besiktas on loan for the remainder of the season.
The move includes an option for the Super Lig club to make the transfer permanent.
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Worrall, a Forest academy graduate since 2011, leaves with 226 appearances under his belt. He played a key role in the club’s Championship promotion in 2022 and featured regularly in their first season back in the Premier League, playing 30 games.
However, with limited playing time this season (only 9 appearances), Worrall sought a new opportunity. Besiktas, currently sitting third in the Super Lig, offered him a chance to play a more prominent role.
While expressing their good wishes for Worrall’s success in Turkey, Forest acknowledged the loan opportunity in a statement, leaving the door open for his potential return: “We wish Joe well for the rest of the campaign.”
Worrall meanwhile, bid farewell to Forest fans with a tweet on X wishing the team all the best for the rest of the season.
Besiktas welcomed their new man with a video accompanied by the Sting song ‘Englishman in New York’.
This move presents a chance for Worrall to reignite his career and secure regular playing time, while Besiktas gain a versatile and experienced defender with Premier League experience. Only time will tell if his stay in Turkey becomes permanent.