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 7.00 pm 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 this season, underlining the depth Arsenal now have at left-back.

Zinchenko joined Arsenal from Manchester City in a £30 million deal in 2022 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.

The four-time Premier League winner arrives at Forest with a wealth of experience at the highest level.

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

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

He 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 described 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.

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