{"id":173568,"date":"2025-06-10T18:08:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T18:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/173568\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T18:08:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T18:08:10","slug":"former-nottingham-forest-starlet-finds-new-home-after-over-a-decade-at-the-city-ground","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/173568\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Nottingham Forest starlet finds new home after over a decade at the City Ground"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the transfer window in full swing, Nottingham Forest fans will also be keeping an eye out for departed academy talent to see how their careers progress away from the City Ground.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The end-of-season retained list saw Harry Toffolo\u2019s departure from Forest confirmed<\/a>, but there was no mention of any players from the Forest academy<\/a> who could be departing.<\/p>\n

With the UEFA Conference League added to the list of competitions for next season, homegrown stars such as Zach Abbott<\/a> could be in line for plenty of minutes. Forest have big plans for Abbot<\/a>t, but the harsh reality is that the end of a season can spell the end of a youngster\u2019s time at a club.<\/p>\n

One who had spent 11 years at the City Ground<\/a> had already announced his departure, but has now landed on his feet with a new team in senior football.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto by Lewis Storey\/Getty ImagesEx-Nottingham Forest gem Sam Collins lands new club<\/p>\n

At the start of May, Sam Collins announced his departure from Forest<\/a>, ending his 11-year spell at the club which was hampered in the latter years after Collins broke his leg<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n

However, his time out of the game has been short-lived as the 21-year-old has signed for a new club to kick-start his senior club career.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f We are delighted to welcome the signing of 21-year-old midfielder Sam Collins from Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n

Welcome, Sam! \ud83e\udd1d<\/p>\n

\u2014 King’s Lynn Town FC (@officialKLtown) June 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Collins has signed for King\u2019s Lynn Town in the National League North, linking up with a side that finished in the play-off places in the division last season.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the King\u2019s Lynn Town official website<\/a>, Collins said: \u201cI am buzzing to be here. We\u2019ve spoken about it for a couple of weeks and to get it done is a great achievement for me personally. There is lots to look forward to this season and I couldn\u2019t be happier to be part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

His excitement is clear after a difficult final few years at the Reds, something that he opened up on in an in-depth discussion with the local media.<\/p>\n

Sam Collins on the difficult end to his Nottingham Forest spell<\/p>\n

A long-term injury is a heartbreaking scenario for any footballer, but for a youngster trying to break through into the game, it can have a devastating impact on their trajectory.<\/p>\n

Collins\u2019 broken leg clearly had this impact, something he discussed with the Eastern Daily Press<\/a> after completing his move to the Linnets.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIn the last 18 months or so, in general, it\u2019s been really difficult. It\u2019s something I\u2019m not really used to, not playing as much as I would have hoped. Being in the gym, kind of working on your rehab, it\u2019s been a very strange and kind of unique time in my life.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m someone who always thinks everything happens for a reason. And I don\u2019t like to think about all the things that could have been.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m happy that I\u2019m here. It\u2019s nothing to do with the fact that I\u2019ve had a bit of a down slope in my career. I still think this is a great opportunity for me, a great club where I can thrive. But there\u2019s no denying that I think the broken leg has changed things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Collins will perhaps have hoped to find a home at a club higher up the English pyramid, but after his injury, a spell in the National League North could be the perfect place to re-find his form.<\/p>\n