Nottingham Forest have signed Manchester City goalkeeper Aro Muric on a season-long loan deal.
Pep Guardiola was ready to let Muric leave on a season-long loan spell, as the Kosovo international was unlikely to get much playing time at the Etihad next season.
Muric is expected to compete with Costel Pantilimon, Luke Steele, and Jordan Smith for a place in the Nottingham lineup, but judging by the inconsistent performances of the goalkeepers last season, Muric will have his chances.
Forest finished ninth in the Championship last season, and Muric’s arrival is a sign that the club want to progress next season and target a return to the top flight.
Muric spent his youth career at YF Juventus, Zurich, Grasshoppers and Manchester City, and his watershed moment came in the Carabao Cup last season as he saved two penalties to help the club win the shootout against Leicester City in December last year.
He was loaned out to Dutch outfit NAC Breda last summer but his loan spell was cut short following an injury to Manchester City’s back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
The 20-year-old had featured twice for the Montenegro Under-21 side, but has since gone on to represent the senior side of Kosovo.
Muric made 5 appearances for Guardiola’s side last season, all of which came in the Carabao Cup.
Forest have another former Manchester City goalkeeper, Pantilimon, in their squad, but the Romanian wasn’t the best last season when it came to his decision-making and distribution.
Muric, in that regard, could improve the fluency at the back considering he is much more assertive with his distribution.
The 20-year old stands in at a towering 6 feet 5 inches, so he is adept at dealing with crosses and long balls. He is one who usually commands his area well, and his handling complements his ability to come out and help his defence out.
Muric was an outfield player at one point of time in his career, so he is comfortable with the ball at his feet, a factor that Guardiola considered before handing him an extended run in the Carabao Cup last season.
All in all, a solid loan signing by Nottingham Forest.
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