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Nottingham Forest’s sensational rise from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls is epitomised by the transformation of one player: club captain Ryan Yates. The midfielder, who has played in the top five divisions of English football, joined Forest at just eight years old and has now made over 200 appearances for his boyhood club, fulfilling the dream of any academy player and setting the example for emerging homegrown talent at the City Ground.
Forest’s Nigel Doughty Academy has produced a number of top-class players, including Brennan Johnson and Matty Cash. The current crop of talented youngsters has just qualified for the Premier League International Cup final, showing that the future is bright at the City Ground. LWOF have ranked the Tricky Trees’ most promising youth prospects and analysed who is likely to break into the first team in the near future.
Nottingham Forest Top Five Academy Players Ranked – Who Could Break Into the First Team?
Nottingham Forest Academy: 1: Zach Abbott
18-year-old centre-half Zach Abbott is the next big thing at Forest. The teenager made his first-team debut for the Tricky Trees at just 16 years old, featuring from the bench in a Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby Town in 2022, making him the second-youngest player ever to play for Forest.
Abbott has continued to progress this season, making his first senior start in their Carabao Cup second-round victory over Newcastle. He has also been named on the bench for several Premier League games. With eight England U19 caps to his name, the defender is quickly making a name for himself – and was selected as the best youngster at Forest by the Guardian back in 2022.
The teenager’s path to the first team may be difficult, with Forest’s defensive duo of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo one of the most formidable in the Premier League – but his repeated presence on Forest’s bench suggests that he is well within Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.
2: Joe Gardner
Nottingham-born Joe Gardner is next up, with the 19-year-old academy prospect currently plying his trade on loan at League One Lincoln City, following the path taken by fellow local boy Brennan Johnson, who had a successful spell with the Imps back in 2020/21.
The forward started the 2024/25 season in prolific form for Forest’s B team, scoring six goals in 12 games in Premier League 2, and recently made his U21 debut for the Republic of Ireland.
The 19-year-old made his senior debut for the Tricky Trees in the FA Cup in February 2024, coming on at right wing-back in extra time as Forest defeated Bristol City on penalties. A centre-forward by trade, Gardner has showcased impressive versatility, playing on both the left and right flank during his time at Lincoln.
3: Isaac Davies
Attacking midfielder Isaac Davies highlighted his impressive potential when the 17-year-old came off the bench to score a hat-trick in a U18 Premier League game against Leeds back in September 2024. The teenager has been in fine form for Forest’s U18 side this season, scoring six goals and recording two assists.
The Welsh U18 international is a skilful, exciting attacking midfielder, with a box of tricks and a fantastic left foot. Davies is also capable of playing out wide and particularly enjoys cutting in on his stronger left side from the right flank.
The 17-year-old was named Forest’s most exciting academy player in 2024 by The Guardian and is certainly one to watch at the City Ground.
4: Kyle McAdam
20-year-old Kyle McAdam has captained Forest’s B team to the final of the Premier League International Cup and looks to be another top prospect produced by Forest’s impressive Nigel Doughty Academy. The midfielder has been a stalwart for the reserve side this season, starting every game in Premier League 2 and only being substituted once.
McAdam has been at the City Ground for 11 years and will be hoping he can follow the path laid out by senior captain Ryan Yates and make the jump from the B team to the senior setup.
5: Jack Nadin
Another midfielder to round off the list, 20-year-old Jack Nadin has been in sparkling form for Forest’s B team this season, scoring four goals and registering five assists in 20 games. The youngster joined the Tricky Trees at just nine years old and has risen through the ranks – to become one of the club’s most promising academy prospects.
The right-footed midfielder, who started on the right wing in Forest’s International Cup semi-final against Bilbao, is out of contract in the summer, so the Reds may need to move quickly to tie the talented youngster down long-term.
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