Deadline day signing Luca Netz could make his Nottingham Forest debut against Leeds United at Elland Road
09:39, 05 Feb 2026
New Nottingham Forest signings Lorenzo Lucca (left) and Luca Netz in training
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New Nottingham Forest signings Lorenzo Lucca (left) and Luca Netz in training(Image: Getty)
Deadline day signing Luca Netz hopes his years of experience in the Bundesliga will prove invaluable as he prepares to test himself in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest.
Head coach Sean Dyche has hinted the Reds had an eye on the future with their targeting of the left-back from Borussia Monchengladbach. Netz, 22, made the switch from Germany on the final day of the winter transfer window and penned a four-and-a-half-year contract at the City Ground.
Although he may be young, he does have a significant number of appearances under his belt having played more than 120 times for his former club. But Netz, who made his Bundesliga debut in 2021, is well aware English football is likely to present a completely different challenge.
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"I have experience at a high level,” the former Germany youth international told Forest’s YouTube channel. “But the Premier League is the best league in the world, so it is going to be a little bit different. Hopefully having played in the Bundesliga helps a little bit.
"I'm a very dynamic player going forward. I hope I can bring my skills to the team and help them so that we can have a lot of great moments.”
Netz could be thrown straight in at the deep end for Forest. The visitors will be without first-choice left-back Neco Williams when they take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday (8pm kick-off).
The Welshman will be suspended for this week’s fixture following his red card in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Dyche is short of natural full-back replacements, other than Netz, and must weigh up whether to go with the newcomer or call on one of his centre-backs to play out of position.
Netz is hoping he may be the one to get the nod. If he does, Leeds boss Daniel Farke will know all about him from his time in charge of Gladbach.
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"It's against my old coach, so I'm really looking forward to it,” the defender said. "I'm very excited to see all the Forest fans. I hope I can make them happy and bring them joy.”
The German’s arrival Trentside may have come late on in the window, but he didn’t need much persuading to accept the Reds’ offer. He was due to become a free agent in the summer so Forest were able to snap him up for a fee in the region of £2 million.
"It's special. I'm feeling very good,” Netz said of linking up with the club. “I'm happy to be here and am excited to get started.
"It's an amazing stadium. I was a little bit aware of the history (of the club) because I'd done my research. It's a traditional club with a lot of history.
"When they called, there wasn't much thinking. I just said I wanted to do it. I can't wait to get started.”
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