Nottingham Forest’s promotion winning goalkeeper Brice Samba has been nominated for the Yachin Trophy – the award given to the best goalkeeper in the world.
The nominee comes just over a year after the 29-year-old left Forest to return back to France and join Lens. He was with the club for three years, playing a crucial part in the return to the Premier League in 2022.
Samba played a total of 45 times in all competitions that season and was the hero in the play-offs semi-final penalty shootout win over Sheffield United. The goalkeeper also pulled off some crucial saves as Forest came out as 1-0 winners over Huddersfield Town at Wembley just 12 days later.
He left the club the following summer, with Forest signing Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United as his replacement. After injury to Henderson ruled him out of action, Forest turned to another loanee in Keylor Navas.
With both now having moved on from the City Ground, Forest have signed USA international Matt Turner. The former Arsenal man will now face competition for the number one shirt with deadline day signing Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Samba, meanwhile, has continued to impress with his performances. He earned his first call-up to the France side back in March, before making his international debut earlier in the summer.
He helped Lens to a surprise second place finish in Ligue 1 last season, meaning that he will be playing in the Champions League this campaign. The goalkeeper has now been included in the list of 10 nominees for the Yacine Trophy, alongside the likes of Ederson, Andre Onana and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez.
The winner of the award will be announced when the ceremony takes place on October 30 2023.
