Nottingham Forest have announced that versatile defender Ola Aina has signed a new contract, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2028. The 28-year-old Nigerian international, who played a starring role in Forest’s impressive 2024/25 Premier League campaign, has been rewarded for his standout performances with a well-deserved extension.
Aina was a near-ever-present figure in Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad last season, starting 35 of Forest’s 38 Premier League matches. Deployed primarily as a right-back after spending much of the previous campaign at left-back, Aina’s tireless defending and versatility shone through. Remarkably, he won possession in the defensive third more times than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues during the 2024/25 season. His contributions weren’t limited to defense, as he also chipped in with two goals, including a stunning left-footed strike in Forest’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the City Ground, helping the Reds secure a commendable seventh-place finish.
Three more years of Ola Aina. ✍️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 7, 2025
Since joining Forest from Serie A side Torino in the summer of 2023, Aina has made 59 appearances across all competitions, bringing his wealth of experience from 100 top-flight matches in Italy. With 91 Premier League games under his belt, the defender is just nine appearances shy of reaching a century in England’s top tier. Internationally, Aina is also nearing a milestone, needing only four more caps to hit 50 appearances for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.Expressing his delight at the new deal, Aina said, “I’m over the moon, I can’t wait to continue this journey with the Club. It’s always felt like a home ever since I joined, and I’m happy to be here. Now my focus is on preparing for the new season well and getting back to hard work.”
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis praised Aina’s impact, stating, “Ola has skill, determination, and character in abundance. He epitomizes the culture and hard work we expect from everyone associated with Forest. He has had a big influence since his arrival here, and we look forward to continuing that journey together to help us achieve incredible things.”
Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson echoed these sentiments, highlighting Aina’s broader contributions: “Since the moment Ola joined the Club, we have loved his influence and personality on the team. He’s someone we all enjoy working with every day. Everyone can see how much he gives the team on the pitch, and we also see every day what he brings off the pitch to our group. Ola shares our ambition and believes in the direction of the Club, and we are delighted he has further extended his time here.”
As Nottingham Forest prepare for the 2025/26 season, Aina’s commitment signals the club’s intent to build on their recent success. With his defensive prowess, attacking contributions, and infectious positivity, Aina remains a cornerstone of Forest’s ambitions to climb even higher in the Premier League.