Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has joined Championship outfit Nottingham Forest on a two-year deal. The striker was available as a free agent after leaving former club Wolfsburg. Nottingham Forest’s chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi confirmed the deal on twitter.
The striker returns to England after two years away at the German outfit. Bendtner had previously spent 9 seasons with Arsenal between 2005 and 2014 which also included loan spells at Birmingham, Sunderland, and Juventus. Bendtner netted 45 goals in 171 games for the Gunners during his time at the Emirates stadium.
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Nicklas Bendtner, who represents Denmark and has netted 29 goals in 71 appearances for his country, joins the Championship side, who finished 16th last season. Forest will be hoping to improve their performance in the league by a considerable amount with the signing of the Dane.
Bendtner, who is a controversial figure, is often mocked by fans who sarcastically call him ‘The best player’. The striker will, however, be hoping to change their opinion on this matter and put in a few impressive performances to please the fans in the Midlands.
The striker’s former club Arsenal have an interesting connection with his new club Nottingham Forest. Forest, who are two-time Champions League winners apparently have played a significant part in Arsenal donning Red colored jerseys.
In 1886 Dial Square (the first name of Arsenal FC) wore red shirts along with white shorts and black socks. It was thanks to the club acquiring three players from the Nottingham Forest side of 1886.
Dial Square decided to use the shirts brought by these players and asked for Forest's help in acquiring jerseys. This was done because it seemed to be the cheapest option in designing a jersey for the club.
130 years later, Arsenal is now one of the Premier League’s most decorated clubs while Nottingham Forest, which is also quite a big club in the country find themselves in the second division of English football. Arsenal did not introduce the white stripes into their jerseys until 1933 when Herbert Chapman decided to bring in the change in order to make it easier for players to identify themselves.
Nottingham Forest, who have been taken over by Kuwait’s Al-Hasawi family only four years back will be hoping to move back into the Premier League in the near future. The club’s most glorious days came under the legendary Brian Clough between 1975 and 1993.
Forest won two European Cups during his reign that ended in the unfortunate relegation of the club after 16 years in the top flight. Forst will be hoping the re-create the magic in the coming years, more so after rivals Leicester City won the Premier League last season.
