Nottingham Forest FA Cup hero Eric Lichaj is likely to sign a new contract with the club this week, according to the Nottingham Post. Talks were ongoing prior to the appointment of Aitor Karanka as manager, but that isn’t believed to make any difference in the USA international penning an extension to remain at the City Ground.
The 29-year-old began this season as understudy to new signing Tendayi Darikwa under then-manager Mark Warburton, before eventually winning his way back in just before he was sacked. Gary Brazil kept him in the side for the weekend cup clash with Arsenal, unexpectedly scoring twice in the 4-2 giant-killing over the current FA Cup holders. Lichaj is to remain a Red.
It is believed to be a solitary one-year deal that the former Aston Villa defender will sign, which would be extended again by another year should he complete 20 appearances next season. This was the offer made by the club to the American a few weeks ago. Forest were believed to have entered discussions with a number of players regarding their contract situation, but the departure of Warburton put a temporary halt to that.
The versatile full back’s family are settled in the Nottingham area and had hoped to remain at the club, certainly not looking to move elsewhere in this transfer window in an ideal world. All the paperwork should go through in time for the club to make an official announcement prior to this weekend’s encounter with Aston Villa at the City Ground, a televised game on Saturday night.
