Nottingham Forest complete signings of Ward-Prowse from West Ham, Morato from Benfica
James Ward-Prowse joins Nottingham Forest on loan, Morato signs permanent deal Credit: None
Nottingham Forest have bolstered their squad with the addition of James Ward-Prowse from West Ham United and Morato from Benfica.
Ward-Prowse joins Forest on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season. The 29-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the club, having made 381 Premier League appearances, including 37 for West Ham last season, where he scored seven goals and provided seven assists. He also made his mark in the UEFA Europa League with four assists.
Reflecting on his move, Ward-Prowse said, “I’m delighted to be here. When I knew I had the opportunity to join the club and come and show what I can do, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity. Having played Nottingham Forest a few times, the atmosphere here is one of the best I’ve played in in the Premier League.”
Ward-Prowse's career includes a significant spell at Southampton, where he made 410 appearances after joining their academy at just eight years old. An England international, he has been capped 11 times for his country, debuting against Germany in 2017 and scoring his first goal for England against San Marino in 2021.
In addition to Ward-Prowse, Nottingham Forest have secured the services of Morato on a five-year deal from Benfica, running until the summer of 2029. The Brazilian defender, who plays on the left side, made 35 appearances for Benfica last season, including five in the UEFA Champions League.
Morato began his career at São Paulo in Brazil before moving to Benfica in 2019, where he accumulated 86 appearances and won the Primeira Liga in the 2022/23 season. His signing has been a long-term target for Forest, as confirmed by Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson, who stated, “Morato has been in our thoughts and discussions to come into the squad for several transfer windows, and we’re delighted to have him join us today.”
