Nottingham Forest

Jesse Lingard has joined Nottingham Forest on a deal worth close to £200000 a week, despite interest from long-term admirers West Ham.

They had even hoped Lingard would have a late change of heart. West Ham had been cautiously optimistic that they were going to be reunited with Lingard, who excelled during a loan spell with David Moyes’s side two seasons ago. Moyes must now deal with the disappointment of missing out on one of his key targets.

Nottingham Forest have signed former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard on a free transfer, the promoted Premier League club said.

Lingard had been linked with a switch to Newcastle United as well as a return to West Ham United, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell in the 2020-21 season, scoring nine goals in 16 matches. Forest did not specify the length of his contract but Sky Sports reported he had signed a year-long deal. Lingard, a United academy graduate, ended his 22-year association with the Old Trafford club following the expiry of his contract last month.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder arrives on Trentside following 22 years with boyhood club Manchester United, making over 230 first-team appearances and ...