Double Nottingham Forest contract hint dropped amid transfer interest
Neco Williams Hints at More Contract Renewals as Nottingham Forest Secure Defender Until 2029
Neco Williams may just be the first of several Nottingham Forest players to commit their long-term future to the club this summer, if his recent comments are anything to go by.
On Tuesday, the club officially confirmed that the Welsh international had signed a new four-year contract, extending his stay at the City Ground until the summer of 2029. Williams’ previous deal had been set to expire in 2026, but the club’s hierarchy acted swiftly to reward the right-back for his consistent performances and clear dedication.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis hailed the deal as a sign of Forest’s intent and growing stature, describing Williams as an important part of the club’s vision moving forward. And based on the defender’s interactions following the announcement, more good news may be on the horizon for Reds fans.
Posting on Instagram to share his delight at the new deal, Williams wrote:
“I’m delighted to announce I’ve signed a new four-year contract with @officialnffc. Grateful for the trust the club has shown in me and the support from everyone around me!”
His post quickly drew a flurry of positive responses from current teammates and former colleagues alike. Among those to congratulate him were Anthony Elanga, Ryan Yates, Matz Sels, Harry Toffolo, and Brennan Johnson. However, it was the messages from fellow full-back Ola Aina and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi that caught the most attention.
Aina, who also plies his trade on the flanks of Forest’s backline, responded with praise and a nod to their defensive partnership, to which Williams cheekily replied, “You next?”—a clear hint that Aina may soon follow in his footsteps by signing a contract extension of his own.
Hudson-Odoi, meanwhile, replied with several fire emojis. Williams responded with another pointed remark: “Your turn now.”
The comments appear to confirm that Forest are actively working to tie down other key players, particularly those entering the final 12 months of their contracts. Both Aina and Hudson-Odoi are set to become free agents next summer if new agreements aren’t reached, and Forest are understandably keen to avoid losing either player without a transfer fee.
The situation has attracted interest from a number of top European clubs. Hudson-Odoi has reportedly been on the radar of AC Milan, Napoli, Roma, and Manchester United following his resurgent form last season. Aina, on the other hand, is said to be drawing attention from a wide array of clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Roma, AC Milan, Besiktas, and Galatasaray.
Forest’s approach this summer has been focused not only on recruitment but also on retaining their top performers. Earlier in the year, the club successfully secured new contracts for standout centre-back Murillo and experienced forward Chris Wood. More recently, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo committed to a fresh three-year deal, further reinforcing Forest’s ambition to build a stable foundation for success.
Talks are said to be ongoing with other first-team players, as the club seeks to avoid late-season contract uncertainties and maintain a settled squad heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis summed up the club’s direction with confidence, saying:
“Nottingham Forest is a club for ambitious players; people who want to grow with us on our exciting journey and create special memories. Neco shares our vision for the direction we are going as a club, and he is a key part of our team.”
As the summer continues, all signs point to more contract announcements in the coming weeks, with Forest looking to reward loyalty, secure their core squad, and send a strong message to rivals—this is a club with serious long-term plans.