The Shamrock Rovers and Ireland underage striker will join the Premier League club in January.
Shamrock Rovers' Michael Noonan and Derry City’s Conor Barr(Image: INPHO/Lorcan Doherty)
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Nottingham Forest will offer Michael Noonan a “genuine pathway” from their academy to the first-team when he completes his move in January.
The Shamrock Rovers striker has signed a pre-agreement with the Premier League side, confirming his intention to move in January.
With almost 90 first-team appearances between the League of Ireland, FAI Cup and Europe, he will start out in the Forest academy before attempting to break into the first-team.
The club’s Chief Football Officer George Syrianos said: “Michael is a player we, along with a number of other clubs, have followed closely for some time, so we're delighted he has chosen Nottingham Forest.
“Recruiting high-potential young players is central to our long-term vision for the academy. We want the academy to be a genuine pathway to the first team, and that means bringing in the right talent early and giving them a clear, individual plan to get there.
"Michael’s decision reflects the work Chris, Andy and everyone involved has put into developing and then sharing what that pathway looks like here.
“We look forward to welcoming Michael and his family to Forest and to supporting his development in the years ahead.”
Noonan (18) has scored 17 goals so far, including eight this season as Rovers push to retain their Premier Division crown.
His first goal for the Hoops came on his debut in February 2025 against Molde, when he became the Europa Conference League’s youngest ever goalscorer and the second youngest in all Uefa club competitions.
He had been linked with moves to the Bundesliga, where Hoffenheim attempted to lure him in a €2 million bid last January, and more recently to Dutch giants Ajax.
However, he opted for a move to Forest - and as his contract expires at the end of this season he will only cost the Premier League side a training and development compensation fee of around €200,000.
Noonan has been prolific at Ireland underage level. He scored three goals in Ireland’s run to the last-16 of last year’s Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
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