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7 August, 2019

Brice Samba signs from Caen

On this day in 2019 Forest sign Brice Samba from Caen before his promotion-era heroics.

Player legacies

Major player signing
Brice Samba, former Forest goal keeper.
Brice Samba, former Forest goal keeper. Image: Steindy / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brice Samba joined Forest from Caen as a new goalkeeper, a signing that later became one of the most memorable pieces of the promotion era.

At the time, the move looked like part of a wider rebuild under Sabri Lamouchi. Forest needed authority in goal, and Samba arrived from French football with the chance to become the club’s first-choice keeper.

Brice Samba, former Forest goal keeper.
Brice Samba, former Forest goal keeper. Image: Steindy / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He soon gave the side presence and personality. His shot-stopping, confidence and command of the area helped him become a popular figure at the City Ground, but his defining Forest moment came three years later.

In the 2022 Championship play-off semi-final against Sheffield United, Samba saved three penalties in the shootout to send Forest to Wembley. It was one of the great modern City Ground nights, turning him from a strong goalkeeper into a promotion hero.

Samba left for Lens shortly after promotion, but his Forest legacy was already secure. The signing from Caen had ended with gloves raised, penalties saved and a generation of supporters heading back to Wembley.

Brice Samba feature

Sources

Nottingham Forest official site; BBC Sport; SM Caen

Forest timeline

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On this day in …
2019
Brice Samba signs from Caen

Brice Samba joined Forest from Caen as a new goalkeeper, a signing that later became one of the most memorable pieces of the promotion…

Player legacies