Nicolo Savona “absolutely over the moon” as Nottingham Forest breakthrough continues

Nicolo Savona’s rise at Nottingham Forest has been one of the club’s quiet success stories this season. Signed as a versatile defensive option, the 22-year-old has quickly become a trusted part of Sean Dyche’s reshaped back line — earning Premier League starts, fan admiration and even a Fair Play award from his hometown of Aosta.

Savona has now featured ten times across competitions and started four of Forest’s last five Premier League matches. For a player adjusting to a new league, new culture and a new tactical environment, his integration has been remarkably smooth. Speaking to Aosta TV before collecting his award, the Italian spoke warmly about his life in Nottingham so far, his goal against Manchester United and the connection he feels with Forest supporters.

For a club fighting to cement its Premier League status, Savona’s emergence as a reliable defender — comfortable at both centre-back and left-back — could prove a vital development as the campaign intensifies.

The defining moment of Savona’s early Forest career came against Manchester United at the City Ground.

“It was beautiful because I scored my first Premier League goal against Manchester United,” he said. “At home, in front of our fans, and my family was there too — I was absolutely over the moon.”

He admits he still watches the clip back regularly, describing it as a moment that captured the emotion of his new adventure. For a defender known more for timing and positioning than end-product, that goal helped him win the hearts of the Forest fanbase instantly.

Savona spoke glowingly about the club’s relationship with its supporters, saying the passion at the City Ground surprised him in the best possible way.

“Nottingham Forest is a very important team, and playing at the City Ground is truly exciting because the fans are very passionate about us,” he said. “There’s a great understanding between the club and the fans — it has always been the club’s strength.”

It’s a sentiment shared by many newcomers to Forest: the bond between players and supporters is powerful and often decisive in tight Premier League matches.

A defender familiar with Serie A’s tactical demands, Savona has embraced England’s more chaotic style.

“Beautiful, a beautiful league,” he said. “There’s a lot of intensity, but I’m enjoying it. There’s less tactics, so matches are more open — anything can happen at any time.”

For a versatile defender comfortable in aggressive defensive structures, the shift suits him well. Dyche’s Forest rely heavily on intensity, duels and quick transitions — areas where Savona’s skill set fits naturally.

Cultural adjustments are often a talking point for young Italian players moving abroad. Savona openly admitted the biggest early hurdles were driving on the opposite side and the Italian cliché: the food.

“Driving was strange at first, basically driving backwards,” he joked. “And the food — nothing can beat Italian food.”

Still, he stressed that none of this has affected his happiness:
“Yes, I like it a lot. I settled in right away. I’m really enjoying it, and I’m happy with the choice.”

Having covered Forest closely over the last two seasons, Savona stands out as one of the signings who embodies the club’s shift toward younger, multifunctional defensive profiles. In our view, his comfort in multiple roles makes him invaluable in Dyche’s often rotation-heavy defensive selections.

There is, however, a nuance worth addressing: while fans see him as a breakout talent, he is still adjusting to the league’s pace and physicality. His duel success rate hovering at 50% shows there is clear room for development. But his positioning, discipline and mentality already give the impression of a player Dyche trusts fully.

If he continues on this trajectory, Forest may have found a long-term defensive leader — something they have lacked since their return to the Premier League.

Savona’s ability to switch between centre-back and right-back provides Dyche with uncommon flexibility. Against possession-heavy sides, he can tuck inside to form a back three; in transition-heavy games, he offers athletic recovery speed on the flank.

This tactical adaptability allows Forest to alter their defensive shape mid-match without substitutions — a subtle but significant advantage in Dyche’s increasingly structured in-possession model.

Savona is expected to retain his starting spot as Forest head into a congested winter schedule. His development will be one of the club’s most important storylines as they aim to stay clear of the relegation battle and stabilise in mid-table.

👉 Forest fans — is Savona already one of this season’s most important signings?