James McAtee Makes Historic £30m Switch to Nottingham Forest After Impressive Man City Journey

Major Transfer Move for English Football’s Rising Star

In a significant career move, English professional footballer James McAtee has completed his transfer to Premier League club Nottingham Forest, signing a five-year contract in a deal worth approximately £30 million. The versatile player, who can operate as both a midfielder and winger, joins Forest in what marks a new chapter in his promising career.

From City’s Academy to Premier League Success

Following his return to the Etihad last summer, McAtee established himself in the 2024-25 campaign, making 27 appearances across five competitions for Manchester City. Despite playing a sporadic role under Pep Guardiola, the young midfielder showed remarkable progress. His achievements included scoring his first City goal in the UEFA Champions League against Slovan Bratislava and securing his first career hat-trick in an impressive 8-0 FA Cup victory over Salford City in January 2025.

International Success and Leadership

McAtee’s talent has also been recognized at the international level, where he was appointed captain of England for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. His leadership proved instrumental as he scored the opening goal in the quarter-final victory against Spain, and was later named player of the match in the final as England emerged victorious against Germany after extra time.

Future Prospects at Forest

McAtee joins a Nottingham Forest side that has shown significant ambition in the transfer market, having already invested £44m in new talent this summer. The club’s participation in the Europa League this season adds an exciting dimension to McAtee’s move. At Forest, he is expected to play a more prominent role, likely competing for a position in the attacking portion of the midfield.