Nottingham Forest’s increasing presence in the Brazilian market has drawn attention in recent windows, and a new report from [Trivela](https://trivela.com.br/inglaterra/nottingham-forest-murillo-igor-jesus-brasileiros/) provides a detailed look at the club’s recruitment approach in South America.
The Brazilian outlet spoke to sources close to Forest to understand why the club has signed so many Brazilian players in such a short span.
[According to the detailed report](https://trivela.com.br/inglaterra/nottingham-forest-murillo-igor-jesus-brasileiros/), the club had only one Brazilian in its entire 160-year history until 2022: forward Léo Bonatini. Since then, 11 more have followed, including recent signings Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Botafogo.
Nottingham Forest’s strategy differs from traditional Premier League scouting operations. While most top-six clubs tend to monitor talents long-term and wait for them to mature in European leagues before making a move, Forest have opted for a more direct route, signing players straight from Brazil’s top flight.
The club has a dedicated scout based in Brazil, who not only watches matches in person but also leads early-stage recruitment efforts. This professional is responsible for identifying potential targets, compiling reports, and even initiating contact with players and agents.
Only after initial interest is confirmed does the club’s leadership step in to lead negotiations.
A key appeal for Nottingham Forest is the opportunity to sign young talents before they gain international exposure or move to Europe, thereby increasing resale value. Players like Danilo, Murillo, Gustavo Scarpa, and Carlos Miguel all made direct moves to the Premier League without prior European experience.
The focus remains primarily on Brazil, although the club’s local scout also monitors Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia. _“The Brazilian market is still seen as the most important,”_ the source told Trivela.
Brazilian players are regarded for their technical ability and improvisation, with scouts particularly attentive to behaviour, adaptability, and game intelligence, not just raw talent.
Nottingham Forest’s approach has also been enabled by changes in UK work permit rules following Brexit. Brazilian players can now be registered more easily via the FA’s point-based system.
This model appears to be expanding. Trivela reports that Forest plan to hire two more professionals to strengthen its scouting network in Brazil and Latin America for 2025.
The club positions itself as a gateway into English football, an appealing first step for young Brazilian players dreaming of the Premier League.
While Forest can’t yet offer title contention, the exposure and development path are seen as valuable assets by both players and agents.
With Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha already on board, and more South American talents linked, Forest’s long-term strategy in the region is clearly taking shape.