Nottingham Forest are set to loan out one of their brightest young attacking talents, giving him the chance to learn under a goalscoring legend of the club.
There were plenty of successes in the loan department last season, with a number of personal accolades picked up by those temporarily away from the City Ground.
Northern Irish forward Dale Taylor won Wigan Athletic’s Player of the Year award, while midfielder Jamie McDonnell scooped up Colchester United’s Young Player of the Year prize.
Away from the Forest Academy, Tyler Bindon picked up the Player of the Year award at Reading as well, giving one youngster a perfect goal to aim for as he is set to depart to learn under a Forest legend.
Joe Gardner celebrates scoring for Lincoln City against Crawley Town
Photo by Chris Vaughan/Getty Images
Joe Gardner set for loan under Nottingham Forest legend
Someone who had a more mixed loan experience last season was Joe Gardner, who spent the second half of the campaign at League One Lincoln City.
Gardner was sent off on his Lincoln debut and never truly recovered afterwards, only managing one goal in 11 appearances.
However, according to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Gardner is set for another spell in League One, this time working under Forest icon Nigel Clough.
Nixon said: “Nottingham Forest’s young forward Joe Gardner is heading for Nigel Clough’s Mansfield on loan.
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Gardner had a spell with Lincoln last season and they also wanted him back. However, Mansfield’s style may suit him more and the deal is set to be sanctioned.”
The Irish youth international clearly made enough of an impression at Lincoln, as they wanted to bring him back, but the chance to learn under Clough made Forest’s decision on his destination fairly simple.
Another aspect of the loan that suits all parties is that Gardner won’t be the only Forest youngster playing at Field Mill next season, as he’ll be following another starlet who has already made the loan move.
Joe Gardner will join another Nottingham Forest gem at Mansfield
Gardner showed glimpses of quality at Lincoln but will be hoping to build that into a more consistent season with a full campaign at League One level.
To make it easier, though, Gardner will play alongside one of his academy teammates as Kyle McAdam has already made the loan switch to Clough’s side.
✍️ Mansfield Town are delighted to announce the signing of left-sided player Kyle McAdam on a season-long loan.
Welcome, Kyle! 🤝#Stags 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/cvmIYW9g7e
— Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) June 23, 2025
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On the deal, Clough told Mansfield’s website: “Kyle’s a young player who’s done really well in a successful Forest under-21 side.
“He has great energy, stamina and will give us a lot of versatility down the left-hand side, whether at left-back, left-wing back or left midfield, and is someone with a lot of potential.”
Clearly following the Forest youth teams closely, Gardner and McAdam should be in good hands with Clough as they take a significant step in their development.