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

SickParrot added 19:36 - Aug 16 Fantastic business by ITFC. £37.5 million for a player who was virtually anonymous in the Premier League. Before that he spent most of his Championship season as an impact sub, only establishing himself as a starter in the last few months. He's very talented, occasionally brilliant but very inconsistent and lightweight. I will be surprised if he's a regular starter at Forest. He needed another season in the Championship with KM's guidance.

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Linkboy13 added 19:40 - Aug 16 Best of luck Omari always gave one hundred percent when in a Ipswich shirt.
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Broadbent23 added 19:56 - Aug 16 Omari you will have missed Ipswich supporters clapping your U21 championship efforts. At least your Agent has a handsome pay off for this deal. Adiós amigo.
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ringwoodblue added 20:02 - Aug 16 Do you think we included a buy-back clause in the sale? LOL!
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fraybentos added 20:08 - Aug 16 I don’t care about Omari… he don’t care about me..all I care about is…. I T F C!
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ITFC_Follower added 20:11 - Aug 16 Too right TomCruise thats quite sick
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Gforce added 20:12 - Aug 16 I would imagine Hudson odoi,will be ahead of Omari in the pecking order ,so he'll have his work cut out to be first choice. Be interesting if we draw Forest in the Cup !
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GetWelwyn added 20:14 - Aug 16 SickParrot - couldn't agree more, perhaps he'll do better playing with more experienced PL players but certainly needs to be developed carefully. Disappointed with Omari but we shouldn't forget what he did for us.
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Northstandveteran added 20:18 - Aug 16 I see Broadhead played for Wrexham today. Anyone know when our signings will be fit to play? He asks sarcastically.
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ITFCsince78 added 20:19 - Aug 16 I suspect Forest will struggle this season, as the European games will mess them up. He should have play one more season with us and bagged a move to a top Premier side. I’ll miss the acrobatic goal celebrations, all the best Omari.
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ITFCsince78 added 20:19 - Aug 16 I suspect Forest will struggle this season, as the European games will mess them up. He should have play one more season with us and bagged a move to a top Premier side. I’ll miss the acrobatic goal celebrations, all the best Omari.
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terryf added 20:41 - Aug 16 ''Ipswich will always have a special place in my heart''. Sorry Omari it all sounds very tongue in cheek to me. From hero to zero I'm afraid with us fans. You certainly could have handled it better. Holding back your services leaves a nasty taste in the mouth and McKenna must have been biting his tongue with both frustration and annoyance at your behaviour. An insult to both your teammates and us supporters!

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JewellintheTown added 21:06 - Aug 16 If McKenna knows the full situation & wishes him well, then so do I. Was essential to our promotions for which I'm grateful. Now lets invest his money back in better players & get our winning mojo back.
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Elizabeth added 21:11 - Aug 16 Good Luck for the future Omari ..
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TimmyH added 21:12 - Aug 16 Move on...he was always going o leave in my opinion it's just how he behaved in the end.
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lgc added 21:33 - Aug 16 Signed a 5 year deal did he not sign a deal with town
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Danishtractor added 21:38 - Aug 16 Apperently Town has made an offer of 20 million Euro for FC Nordsjaellands norwegian Sindre Walle Egeli. Would be great!
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Ipswichbusiness added 22:34 - Aug 16 This has been an awful window for us; so much talent out, so little in.
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Tractorboy1985 added 02:24 - Aug 17 Anyone who wishes this little melt all the best clearly represents why this country is so weak!! When you go to work Monday can you contribute?? Omari is the disgusting image of what modern day football is sadly becoming… you are PAID by ITFC and should be available whatever needs be! Fair enough if you think you’re better than the club (nobody is) but go about your duty with respect to the club, manager who’s made you what you are (overrated) team mates and supporters who have shown you nothing but love! All the best you lightweight twirp… I hope we see you next season and you are put in row A… 37.5 million we’ve pulled ya pants down Forest!!! COYB

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