Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Costel Pantilimon from Watford. The English Championship club has confirmed on their official website that they have sealed a permanent move for the Romanian goalkeeper during this summer transfer period.
The 31-year-old shot-stopper spent the second half of last season on loan at The City Ground. The Tricky Trees have wasted no time and has made his transfer permanent for an undisclosed fee this summer. The Romanian goalie had featured in 13 matches for Forest last season, conceding 14 goals while keeping four clean sheets in the English second tier. Pantilimon has penned a three-year contract with the club.
Pantilimon began his career in his home country while playing for FC Politehnica Timisoara but he soon moved to Manchester City in 2012 and went on to lift the Premier League title and the League Cup in the 2013-14 campaign. He also featured in the Champions League for the Citizens before being shipped out to Sunderland.
After two years at the Stadium of Light, Pantilimon signed for Watford in the winter of 2015 and had a loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna last season before teaming up with Forest. The Romanian is exactly the kind of talent who the Hornets can do without but at the same time, he will be an ideal asset for the Tricky Trees.
The Hertfordshire outfit managed to attain a 14th placed finish in the English top-flight last season. However, Javi Gracia needs to revamp his squad this summer so that they can compete on all fronts in the upcoming campaign.
Retaining some of their top talents could go a long way in helping them improve on their league position next term but Pantilimon is certainly not in Gracia’s plans which makes his transfer a good move for all parties.
The addition of Pantilimon will undoubtedly bolster Aitor Karanka’s goalkeeping options at The City Ground. Forest has the likes of Stephen Henderson, Stefanos Kapino, Dimitar Evtimov, Jordan Smith competing for a place behind the sticks in their first-team. Pantilimon’s recent acquisition will definitely improve their team significantly and add more competition for places within the Tricky Trees squad.
Read More: Watford Linked With A Move For Burnley Hit-Man: The Right Man For Javi Gracia’s Plan?
At 31, he still has a few years left in him to play at a high level which Forest would look to benefit from, in the coming years. Only time will tell what lies ahead in the future of Pantilimon and whether his time at West Bridgford turns out to be a success.
