Nottingham Forest fans may be torn about future of Derby County player: View

Five players have moved between Derby County and Nottingham Forest since Robert Earnshaw’s 2008 switch – the first in 15 years being Tyrese Fornah.

However, with the varying fortunes of the two clubs in the last few seasons, there has been a lack of activity across the A52 divide since Jamie Ward’s move from Derby to Forest following the expiration of his contract in 2015.

But, Tyrese Fornah’s switch from the red half of the East Midlands to the black-and-white side last summer has reignited past feelings of deceit and treachery that has not been seen between the two clubs for nine years.

Similar to Kris Commons’ switch to the Rams in 2008, Fornah was a part of the Forest academy, joining the club in 2018. Yet, with allegiances now switched for a full season, supporters of the Premier League side may be torn over their feelings towards the young midfielder’s future.

A season of inconsistency at Derby

The 24-year-old moved to Pride Park last summer on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, as Derby looked for promotion in their second season in League One following relegation in 2022.

Fornah, who was playing in the division for the third time in his career, after previously featuring for Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle on loan from Forest, made a good start to his life with the Rams, starting in seven of his first eight games.

But, a stuttering start to the season for the Rams meant changes to the system that Paul Warne had originally been operating. A switch to a three-player midfield involving Conor Hourihane, Korey Smith and Max Bird limited Fornah’s game-time and placed him on the bench.

Over the course of the 2023/24 League One campaign, the midfielder made 19 appearances in the league for Derby, with 17 coming before the end of January.

Now, he will be hoping to become a part of the Rams’ Championship side. However, a loan out may be the best thing for his career at this stage.

Forest fans may struggle to put aside differences

When a player leaves a club after coming through the academy, they normally go with well wishes from supporters of said team. But, with Fornah crossing the Notts-Derby border, it may be harder to forgive this time for Reds fans.

Despite playing just four games for the first-team during his time in Nottingham, he will always have an association with the club, and will be seen as a traitor by some supporters. However, he may also go with a level of respect, considering the gap between the two clubs currently.

Fornah’s move to Derby was for the good of his own career, and that will be acknowledged by some. He needed to play consistent football, and although that has not happened so far, it is more likely with the Rams than Forest due to the latter’s current Premier League status.

When comparing the deal to that of Commons’ there are similarities. Nevertheless, the fact that Fornah had originally come from Brighton & Hove Albion before joining the Reds may just have softened the blow of last year’s transfer for supporters.