Nottingham Forest have officially announced that versatile defender Ola Aina has signed a fresh three-year contract extension, tying him to the Premier League outfit until the summer of 2028.
Aina, who turns 29 later this year, initially joined Forest in July 2023 on a free transfer after his contract with Serie A side Torino expired. He was one of the first signings under the club's restructuring plan to strengthen their defense and build squad depth following their Premier League survival.
After a solid debut campaign, during which he helped Forest successfully avoid relegation in the 2023/24 season, the club activated an automatic one-year extension clause in May 2024 to secure his services for another season. However, after further impressive displays throughout the 2024/25 season, Forest management moved quickly to secure a longer-term commitment.
In the recently concluded season, Aina featured in 37 matches across all competitions, demonstrating his attacking contributions with three goals and two assists from his primary role as right-back. His consistency and ability to adapt to multiple defensive roles were crucial to Forest’s seventh-place league finish, which was their highest in recent years, and a memorable FA Cup run that saw them reach the semi-finals.
Aina has now accumulated a total of 59 appearances in all competitions for the Reds since arriving at the City Ground. His new contract signals the club’s confidence in his abilities and highlights their strategy of retaining key players to build a stable and competitive squad for future campaigns.
The Nigerian international joins a growing list of important players who have recently committed their futures to the club, including forward Chris Wood, promising center-back Murillo (who signed an extension until 2029), and head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, whose contract was also renewed through 2028.
Aina began his professional journey at Chelsea, graduating from their academy and enjoying loan spells at Hull City, Torino, and Fulham before making a permanent move to Italy with Torino in 2019. During his time in Serie A, he developed into a highly regarded wing-back known for his pace, strength, and tactical awareness.
On the international stage, Aina has been a mainstay for the Super Eagles of Nigeria since earning his senior debut in 2017. He has earned 40 caps so far, representing Nigeria in major tournaments including the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.
Forest fans have widely praised the club’s decision to secure Aina’s long-term future, with many supporters considering him an integral figure in their push to return to European competitions and continue their domestic resurgence.