Forward Omari Hutchinson has completed his £37.5 million move to Nottingham Forest, signing a five-year deal.

Forest had an offer of £35 million turned down by Town just over a week ago but returned with a £37.5 million bid for the 21-year-old on Thursday, which was accepted by the Blues.

The fee is a new record for Town, eclipsing the £30 million Chelsea paid for Liam Delap earlier in the summer. Chelsea are understood to be due 25 per cent of the profit the Blues have made on the £20 million-plus-add-ons fee they paid for the Redhill-born attacker last summer.

It’s also a new record for Forest, beating the £35 million paid to Bologna for Dan Ndoye only last month.

The fee is also understood to be the sixth-highest paid for a Championship player behind the £53 million Chelsea paid Southampton for Roméo Lavia in 2023, the £40 million Spurs handed Leicester for James Maddison the same summer and the same figure Brighton splashed out on Georginio Rutter when they signed him from Leeds a year later.

Town also now have a higher record sale than four Premier League clubs, Arsenal, Newcastle, Burnley and Sunderland.

It’s perhaps little surprise Forest was Hutchinson’s destination given the long-established relationship between their global head of football, former Arsenal midfielder Edu, and the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian.

“I’m really excited to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Hutchinson told the Forest website. “I’ve played at the City Ground a few times and it’s always felt like a hostile atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to playing here with the fans behind us.

“I’m going to give it my all and I’m looking forward to the challenge as it’s a new chapter for me, but I feel ready.”

Forest’s chief football officer Ross Wilson added: “Omari is a really exciting addition to the squad. He’s coming off a fantastic summer, winning the U21 European Championship alongside Elliot, and arrives here full of confidence.

“He joins an already talented group of players and adds another layer of quality and energy to our attacking options. We’re looking forward to seeing him thrive in a Forest shirt.”

Prior to Forest’s interest emerging, Brentford had had a number of bids turned down, the highest £35 million, while Everton and Serie A Inter had also been linked.

Hutchinson has appeared certain to leave the Blues this summer having stayed behind when Town travelled to Auxerre for the final pre-season friendly with manager Kieran McKenna revealing on Tuesday that the 21-year-old “didn’t feel that he could contribute” at Bromley, having missed the season opener at Birmingham on Friday due to a throat infection.

Yesterday, McKenna said he wished Hutchinson well for the future but was disappointed with the manner his exit had been handled.

Hutchinson initially joined Town on loan ahead of the 2023/24 Championship promotion season, before making that move permanent the following summer.

In total across his two seasons, the one-time Arsenal trainee made 55 starts and 27 sub appearances, scoring 14 goals.

Photo: Reuters

ITFC_Singapore added 17:29 - Aug 16 We have had Forest's pants down. Brilliant work by Ashton and team.
6

thatsbonkers added 17:31 - Aug 16 Did well for us and a great bit of business. Good work Ashton and team.
4

1960H added 17:38 - Aug 16 I wonder if he throws the toys out of the pram again when he wants another move two years into a five year contract?
1

armyofblueandwhite added 17:38 - Aug 16 Hope your throat is ok now that you have your move…
0

Blue_Moses added 17:39 - Aug 16 Let's spend some money
2

DBlues added 17:39 - Aug 16 All the best Broadhead. Hutchinson close the door on your way out...
6

youngie7 added 17:43 - Aug 16 Thank god for that, poor last season and didn’t stand out at all, more gutted about Broadhead tbh, spend wisely and he will be easily forgotten
3

baxterbasics added 17:48 - Aug 16 Gutted to lose him and it's a shame how it played out, was hoping to see him play in Town colours one more time. No point being bitter about it. I wish Omari well and am grateful for what he did in his time here.
1

barrystedmunds added 17:52 - Aug 16 Can’t help thinking that someone is going to turn this story into a KMcK lack integrity!!
0

blueoutlook added 17:55 - Aug 16 Good. Glad he is sorted. Awful attitude at the end towards the club, management and fans who had always stuck by him. Won’t be remembered fondly for those antics. Bye bye.
3

ThaiBlue added 17:58 - Aug 16 Will not b missed young little money grabbed,good riddance
2

flykickingbybgunn added 17:59 - Aug 16 When he came here two years ago he was nowhere near the player he is now. He has had KMcK breathe on him and now he is many times the player that he was then. If he has become a highly valuable, saught after player then blame Keiron.
0

Tellitasitis added 18:21 - Aug 16 Let's face it he was a good player championship level down but Premier just not good enough I can't remember once he took on a full back got past him and put in a cross. Won't last in my opinion.
3

TB42 added 18:25 - Aug 16 Ironic he’s promising to give “his all” at Forest. Presumably until things don’t go his way and he throws his next set of toys into the.corner??
3

dusth added 18:26 - Aug 16 Perfect example of the two divisions on here. Grown ups and children.
2

BeachBlue added 18:28 - Aug 16 No more need for angry comments. He's moved on. We need to do the same. Don't waste your precious days with negativity.
2

azuremerlangus added 18:30 - Aug 16 Some great moments but time to move on.
1

Woodbridgian added 18:42 - Aug 16 Very sad it’s ended this way, he’s only a kid and probably very badly advised by an agent who probably just banked a few million says everything about the game these days. Will be interesting to see how he does this season in the prem, very lightweight last year but time will tell.
2

shakytown added 18:42 - Aug 16 It will be interesting to see who will be coming in. we have been good at doing business behind the scenes and should be well financed for a few surprises.
1

shakytown added 18:42 - Aug 16 It will be interesting to see who will be coming in. we have been good at doing business behind the scenes and should be well financed for a few surprises.
0

garytheturtle added 18:45 - Aug 16 Wish you well Omari, Don’t forget how much he did for us - I’m sure his agent & everyone involved could have played this one out better.
1

ImAbeliever added 18:46 - Aug 16 Forrest have been robbed by our Robin Hood aka …..
0

IvorFeeling added 18:59 - Aug 16 This closes a chapter that has been dragging the club down and one of the reasons, imo of the disappointing performances last Friday & Tuesday. Regardless of talent, a player who doesn’t want to be at a club drags everyone down, no matter what spin is put on it. Hopefully, we can kick on from here both in performances and in the transfer market.
5

ITsparks78 added 19:01 - Aug 16 An absolute disgrace, if I downed tools I'd get sacked. If you want a lift to Nottingham omari, I'll take you myself, but you're have to wear a facemask as I don't want your cold.
1

knitfc78 added 19:05 - Aug 16 Good, better off without and we should get the money back paid.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls