Wing-back agrees switch to Forest Green

FOREST Green Rovers have signed defender Jayden Richardson from Championship side Nottingham Forest, writes Mark Halliwell.

The right-wing-back, pictured, completed the formalities of his switch to The New Lawn on Wednesday afternoon, the former Exeter City player signing on loan until the end of the 2020/21 season.

Born in Nottingham, he graduated through the youth ranks at Forest before signing his first professional contract with the club back in April 2019 - and describes himself as a quick wing-back who likes to get into the final third.

Richardson, 20, played a key-role in the Grecians’ play-off campaign last season - making 28 appearances for the Devon outfit, scoring twice.

On signing for Rovers, Richardson said: “It feels brilliant to get the deal done now, and I’m here and looking forward to getting out there and showing what I can do. I’ve watched the games and the highlights on YouTube, and I like the way the team plays, so hopefully I can add to that.

“Last season at Exeter we played with wing-backs, so it’s not a new system to me.”

He is the 11th signing of the summer for manager Mark Cooper after Dan Sweeney (Barnet), Nicky Cadden (Greenock Morton), Jack Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Kane Wilson (West Brom), Luke McGee (Portsmouth), Jake Young (Sheffield United), Jamille Matt (Newport), Jordan Moore-Taylor (MK Dons), Elliott Whitehouse (Grimsby) and Scott Wagstaff (AFC Wimbledon).

Richardson is expected to cover for injured fellow new-boy Wilson.