Championship side Nottingham Forest have loaned Zach Clough to League One Rochdale for the 2017/18 season.
Rochdale newbie Zach Clough could be one of the most impressive signings in all of League One this season.
Just a year and a half ago, the diminutive attacker moved to Nottingham Forest for a hefty £3 million fee after building his reputation with Bolton Wanderers.
Clough looked like a real star in the making at Bolton. The Messi of the Macron wowed supporters with his quick feet, vision and eye for goal, although these impressive traits weren’t seen nearly enough in Forest colours.
Clough was a regular starter during the reign of Gary Brazil but lost his place as soon as Aitor Karanka arrived. According to the Nottingham Post, the Spaniard told the 23-year-old that he was not part of his plans before farming him out to Spotland for the season.
And while Karanka is obviously not a fan, it seems that his Rochdale counterpart Keith Hill could hardly be more excited about bringing the gifted playmaker back to the North West.
“I got a phone call [on Friday afternoon], saying that he was available and asking would I like him, and it was a no brainer!” Hill told the club’s official website.
“It’s an incredible move for us to secure such a marquee signing for Rochdale Football Club, and for him to want to come here shows that we’re a decent football club that does things right way, so thank you to the Chairman.”
Clough was instrumental in Bolton’s promotion to the Championship in 2016/17, even if he left midway through the season to Forest. He scored nine goals in 22 games before the January window and if he can have the same impact at Rochdale, then who knows where Hill’s side could end up.
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