Lewis O’Brien’s Nottingham Forest misery appears to be coming to an end, with the midfielder allegedly headed abroad to rebuild his career.
O’Brien joined from Huddersfield Town following the Reds’ promotion two years ago, but his ambitions of playing in the Premier League quickly faded.
His debut season at the City Ground was cut short by illness, and he ended up signing on loan with DC United in March 2023 after a contentious move to Blackburn Rovers fell through.
The 25-year-old appears to be returning to the United States in search of a new club after a loan spell at Middlesbrough last season did not result in a permanent transfer.
According to transfer specialist Alan Nixon, Forest have cleared O’Brien to join MLS side LAFC on loan with a potential £5 million transfer.
Nixon, the Sun’s self-proclaimed Boss of Goss, claims that “O’Brien had a successful spell under Wayne Rooney at DC United and will try his luck again with high-flying LAFC.”
“The midfield dynamo is not in the plans again next season at the City Ground and it suits all for him to return to America.”
O’Brien has had plenty of suitors this summer as Forest attempt to reduce the size of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
Top-flight Ipswich Town, demoted Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United, as well as fellow Championship teams Preston North End and Norwich City, have all expressed an interest, but prefer to take the player on loan, whereas Forest want to sell. However, Nixon adds: “The chance to play and live in the United States has won the chase.”
Speaking about his experience at Forest before last season’s loan at Boro, O’Brien said: “I want to challenge myself again and definitely prove some people wrong.
“My professional trajectory was on the up at one point, but it leveled out and things went wrong, and I just feel like I still have places to go and prove I can get there.
“There were outside reasons that contributed to what happened; it wasn’t because I wasn’t good at football, as some may believe. I just want to get on the field and show everyone what I can accomplish.”
