Neco Williams Signs New Long-Term Deal With Nottingham Forest

Neco Williams has extended his stay at Nottingham Forest with a new contract until June 2029. Williams had previously been due to become a free agent in the summer of 2026.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 26-year-old Wales international right-back has emerged as a key man for the Reds since Nuno took over. Forest have tied down a number of key players, including Williams, whose fresh terms come after Ola Aina agreed to new terms earlier in the season.

WILLIAMS REACTS

Williams is delighted to agree fresh terms that extend his stay at the club by three-and-a-half years. He said: “I can say this has been a long time coming. Steve (Cook) was joking about it today, obviously there have been a few outgoings in terms of contracts towards the end of the season for the club, so for me obviously the plans were there to extend, Nuno had placed that towards me as soon as he came in. We had a long term conversation and obviously with the way I started this season and last season it was sort of piggybacking off that. So I’m really pleased to get it over the line and looking forward to the next couple of years.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Williams has won 23 caps for Wales and came through the Forest youth set-up. He has been a key part of the club’s revival after joining from Liverpool.

Julen Lopetegui guided the side to promotion from the Championship, while Nuno took them to new heights, with Williams emerging as a key figure both on the field and in the dressing room.

Williams started the season extremely well with goals against Brentford and Crystal Palace in his opening three games as Forest notched three consecutive wins. They may have fallen away slightly after that, but the club are preparing for a first European knockout tie as they prepare to face Schalke in the Europa Conference League.

WHAT MORE DID WILLIAMS SAY?

This time last year, Williams was an integral part of a huge rebuild after relegation from the Premier League. He added: “A year ago it was quite tough. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, but Nuno has come in and he has been brilliant in terms of galvanising not only the group but also me as a player. I think I have transitioned back into maybe the form I love to play in. He has been brilliant to me and I want to be brilliant for the club.”

Williams also wants to add to his international caps. He said: “I have always been proud to represent Wales. Rob (Page) has gone with the group he feels is the best to go and win the next game. Whether that includes me or not, I will have to keep showing him I am a good character and will help the team in whatever way I can.”

WHAT NEXT FOR FOREST?

Forest have already been allocated their first European fixture after qualifying for the Conference League next season. He said: “I want to show my consistency. I want to be able to perform week in week out, help the team as much as I can in all aspects of the game, that’s defensively, that’s going forward, that’s within the culture in the dressing room. I feel like I’m a big part of that and I want to continue to add to that.”