Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Premier League Watford.
Pantilimon joins Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee on a three year deal. The Romanian international had a successful loan spell at the City Ground last season, and manager Aitor Karanka has been keen to bring him in permanently this summer. The club announced the signing at midday.
In an interview with the Nottingham Post, Karanka said: ‘We wanted him to come back again because he was important for us and we were important for him’.
Pantilimon made 13 Championship appearances for Forest last season after joining the Championship club on loan in the January window. Pantilimon made an instant impression on Forest fans, saving a penalty from Jon Toral on his home debut against Hull City.
The keeper joined Watford from Sunderland in January 2016, but failed to nail down a first team place in his two years at Vicarage Road. Pantilimon made only 8 appearances for the Hornets, but kept a respectable 5 clean sheets.
Pantilimon also had an impressive clean sheet record for Manchester City. In 29 appearances for City, he kept 15 clean sheets. Pantilimon also made one appearance in the Champions League against CSKA Moscow, which City won 5-2.
The Romanian international comes with international experience, making 27 appearances for his national team. Pantilimon was also in Romania’s UEFA European Championship squad in 2016, but didn’t make a single appearance as they crashed out in the group stage.
Standing at a massive 6ft 8in, Pantilimon uses his height to come and claim crosses, providing a massive aerial presence in the box.
Forest fought off Aston Villa to secure the signing of the colossal keeper, and it could prove to be a vital bit of business as they look to build on last season’s 17th place finish.
