Nottingham Forest Confirms Signing Of Nikola Milenkovic From Fiorentina

Nottingham Forest have secured Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina for a reported £12 million. Milenkovic, who played in all three of Serbia's matches at Euro 2024, has committed to a five-year contract with Nuno Espirito Santo's team ahead of the new Premier League season.

Chief football officer Ross Wilson expressed his excitement about Milenkovic joining the squad. "He is a key part of our squad planning this summer and I know how enthusiastic he has been to join the club. We have long admired his performances with the Serbia national team and in Serie A and European competitions for Fiorentina. We are delighted he will bring his experience and qualities to Nottingham Forest," Wilson said.

Milenkovic, aged 26, ends a seven-year tenure with Fiorentina, where he made 264 appearances and scored 17 goals across all competitions. His senior debut for Serbia came in 2018, and since then, he has earned 57 caps, participating in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Milenkovic will add an aerial threat to Nottingham Forest's defence, having won 112 out of 141 aerial duels last season. Additionally, he is proficient at playing out from the back, ranking third in successful passes for Fiorentina in Serie A last season with 1,338 passes.

The Serbian defender becomes Forest's fifth signing of the transfer window. He joins Carlos Miguel, Elliot Anderson, Eric da Silva Moreira, and Marko Stamenic as new additions to the squad.

Pre-season Preparations

Forest began their pre-season preparations with a convincing 3-0 victory over Chesterfield last week. They are set to face Championship side Sunderland in Spain this Saturday as they continue to gear up for the upcoming season.

"We are delighted to announce the signing of Serbia international Nikola Milenkovic," Nottingham Forest shared on their official Twitter account on July 18, 2024.

Milenkovic's ability to contribute both defensively and offensively will be crucial for Nottingham Forest as they aim to strengthen their squad for the Premier League campaign.

The addition of Milenkovic is expected to bolster Nottingham Forest's defensive line significantly. His experience in international tournaments and European competitions brings valuable expertise to the team.

With these strategic signings, Nottingham Forest looks poised to make a strong impact in the upcoming Premier League season. The club's management is optimistic about integrating these new talents into their existing framework.

The anticipation among fans is high as they look forward to seeing how these new players will perform on the field. The team's recent activities indicate a clear strategy aimed at enhancing their competitive edge.