Forest welcome new scholars

Nottingham Forest Academy is delighted to confirm 11 players have signed their first scholarships with the Club. Harvey Andrews (full back), Basima Balagizi (striker), Joe Bailey (goalkeeper), Kanye Bradshaw (striker), Alastair Graham (goalkeeper), Eleazar Lokote (midfielder), Riko Robinson (midfielder), Shakur Samuels (winger), Spencer Sutton (defender), and Kalum Thompson (attacking midfielder) have all agreed two-year scholarships. The scholars and their parents and guardians were invited to the Nigel Doughty Academy to celebrate their new deals. As part of the evening, there were multi-discipline presentations covering all areas of the club's comprehensive academy programme. Graham joined the Club from Dundee earlier this year, while Thompson and Balagizi are new additions to the Academy having been at Linfield and Stockport respectively. The rest of the new scholar cohort are continuing their journeys with the Reds having been part of the U16 squad last season. The players will be with Tom Mallinson’s U18 group for the upcoming season, with some having B Team opportunities during pre-season. Head of Academy, Chris McGuane, said: “As ever it’s a really proud moment for the players and their families when they sign their scholarships. It marks a big step in their journey of trying to establish a career in football, and they all deserve to be continuing with us. “There is a clear pathway for talented young players from the area and the bulk of the new scholars are continuing on with us with some having been here since the early Foundation Phases. "It is also good to be adding in high-potential players to the group from elsewhere, which is a direct result of our new, extensive scouting activities. “They will be looked after by our outstanding staff across all departments within the Academy and will be pushed to continue developing as both players and young adults. We wish them all the best for the season ahead.”