Douglas Luiz Signs for Nottingham Forest in €30m Move

Nottingham Forest have signed Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus. The €30 million deal starts as a loan with an obligation to buy. The 27-year-old will add experience to Forest’s midfield as they prepare for the Premier League and European matches in the 2025-26 season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Douglas Luiz has joined Forest on loan after completing his medical, and the club are obligated to make the deal permanent next season. His departure ends his one-year stay at Juventus, where he played regularly but struggled to secure a permanent place in the starting eleven, as he missed pre-season training. At Forest, he joins as the club’s eighth signing of a busy summer, with the team trying to add depth and experience to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad ahead of a critical campaign that includes their return to Europe after more than two decades.

BRAZILIAN BOOST FOR FOREST’S MIDFIELD

Luiz’s arrival follows a difficult previous season for Forest, who finished 7th in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Conference League after a competitive campaign. The team struggled with consistency, particularly in midfield, where injuries and suspensions made it hard to find balance. Luiz, formerly of Aston Villa and holding significant Premier League experience, played 27 matches for Juventus last year, contributing two goals and three assists in Serie A. His passing quality and composure are expected to help Forest control games against tougher opponents. This transfer shows Forest’s intention to push for mid-table security or better from survival while juggling the challenge of their European group stage campaign at the same time.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST?

Forest’s next match is an away fixture against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Forest won their opener against Brentford by 3-1, while Palace drew at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea 0-0. Every point will be vital in the opening weeks, as Forest’s European opener is coming soon after. The club is also reportedly pursuing further reinforcements in defence, targeting a former loanee and a new right-back to solidify their back line, but Luiz could make his debut as soon as this match, contributing to a squad that is working hard to finalize key transfers before the transfer window closes.