Zinchenko
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Arsenal have confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan, with the deal completed late on transfer deadline day. The 28-year-old Ukrainian international moves in search of regular first-team football after slipping down the pecking order at the Emirates.
In a statement, Arsenal said: “Oleksandr Zinchenko has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan. We wish Alex all the best for his loan spell with Nottingham Forest.”
The loan does not include an option to buy. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Forest were able to finalise the move after submitting a deal sheet before the 7:00 PM deadline, which granted extra time to complete paperwork. The transfer came after their failed pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Javi Galan.
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Zinchenko arrived at Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £30 million plus £2 million in add-ons, making 91 appearances and registering three goals and five assists. His debut season proved memorable, including a key strike in Arsenal’s 4-2 comeback against Aston Villa in February 2023.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Oleksandr Zinchenko! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QFS00VoCMV
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 1, 2025
But competition for places has since intensified, with the rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly, the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, and the deadline-day signing of Piero Hincapie leaving Zinchenko without a single matchday appearance so far this season.
Forest’s chief football officer, Ross Wilson, welcomed the signing, saying: “Alex’s pedigree speaks for itself. He was a big part of an extremely successful Manchester City team and played an important role for Arsenal in recent years. He brings invaluable experience to Nottingham Forest, and we are delighted he completes our incoming signings this summer.”
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The versatile defender, who can operate at left-back or in midfield, boasts four Premier League titles from his time at Manchester City and was named Ukrainian Footballer of the Year in 2019. He has earned 74 caps for his country and is eyeing regular minutes to secure his place at the upcoming World Cup.
Forest’s ambitious summer spending has exceeded £140 million, including deals for Dilane Bakwa from Strasbourg and Cuiabano from Botafogo. Zinchenko, who earns £150,000 a week, had previously been linked with Marseille, AC Milan, and Fenerbahce, but Forest, helped by former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar moved decisively to secure his signature.
The Ukraine international could make his Forest debut immediately after the international break, in a fixture that sees him return to face his parent club Arsenal on September 13.
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