The announcement of two Nottingham Forest players taking up new squad numbers for the 2026/27 season has certainly got fans talking.
Midfielder Nicolas Dominguez will wear the No.8 shirt vacated by Elliot Anderson for the upcoming campaign. It marks a change from the No.16 the Argentine has worn since joining the Reds in 2023.
Meanwhile, winger Omari Hutchinson will be Forest’s No.20 for the new campaign. The former Ipswich Town man had donned the No.21 shirt during his first year Trentside.
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No other squad numbers have been confirmed. Announcing the changes, the club said: “The list of squad numbers for the 2026/27 season will be confirmed and communicated in due course.”
Dominguez and Hutchinson were part of the Reds contingent to have reported for the start of pre-season at the Nigel Doughty Academy on Monday. Those players who have recently been on international duty will link up with their teammates later on and new head coach Oliver Glasner will no doubt hope to also have a few new signings in the mix soon.
In the meantime, the new shirt numbers for Dominguez and Hutchinson proved a hot topic. In the case of the former, some supporters suggested the switch to No.8 could be a sign a new contract might be on the way for the 28-year-old.
The possibility of a new deal for Dominguez - who was No.8 at former clubs Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield and Bologna - was reported earlier this summer. Posting on X, @RobinsReds_ suggested: “Could be a sign Nico is signing a new deal and getting the #8”
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Anderson had previously occupied the No.8 shirt prior to his £116 million switch to Manchester City. Finding a replacement for the England international is top of the Reds’ to-do list but any new midfielder will need to take up a different squad number.
Hutchinson donning 20 is a return to the number he wore during his two seasons with the Tractor Boys. The fact Forest now have No.21 free led to fans quipping the club should swoop for Anthony Elanga, who sported that shirt before last summer’s transfer to Newcastle United.
In response to the announcement, @kennycc__ quipped with a winking emoji: “Saving the 21 for a certain Swedish winger.” And @nirbhai replied: “Omari taking 20 is interesting, it frees up the 21...wishful thinking here, but could he be vacating for the former owner?”
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Nottingham Forest reporter Sarah Clapson
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