Oleksandr Zinchenko completes Nottingham Forest loan move from Arsenal | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have sealed the signing of Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko on a season-long loan.

The deal was finalised late on Deadline Day after Forest submitted a deal sheet before the 7pm cut-off.

Zinchenko becomes the latest addition to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad following a busy summer of recruitment.

Forest had initially targeted Javi Galan of Atletico Madrid, but that move collapsed earlier in the day.

The Ukrainian international quickly emerged as their alternative, with personal terms already in place.

Arsenal were willing to let Zinchenko leave, with just 12 months remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

He made 23 appearances across all competitions last season as injuries and competition reduced his role.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori are all ahead of him in Mikel Arteta’s plans.

Calafiori has started every Premier League game so far this campaign, underlining the depth Arsenal now have at left-back.

Zinchenko joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 in a £30 million deal and was a regular starter in his first two seasons.

He featured 68 times in the league across that period as Arsenal mounted back-to-back title challenges.

But his influence waned last term as Arteta turned to younger and more defensively solid options.

Zinchenko arrives at Forest with a wealth of experience at the highest level.

He has played nearly 150 Premier League matches and featured over 40 times in the Champions League.

During six years at Manchester City he won four league titles and four successive FA Cups.

He has also been a key figure for Ukraine, earning 74 caps and becoming his nation’s youngest ever captain in 2021 at the age of 24.

Zinchenko is best known as a left-back but has often been deployed in midfield for his country.

That versatility is expected to prove valuable for Forest across a demanding campaign.

The Midlands club have already strengthened heavily this summer, adding full-backs Nicolo Savona and Cuiabano alongside several attacking signings.

Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson hailed Zinchenko as an ‘invaluable addition’ who brings leadership and pedigree.

He said the 28-year-old would provide experience to complement the youthful elements of Forest’s squad.

The move marks Zinchenko’s third club in England after spells at Manchester City and Arsenal.

Forest hope his arrival will add quality and composure as they look to push further up the Premier League table.