EXCLUSIVE: Fabrizio Romano delivers details on Willy Boly signing Forest contract

Nottingham Forest tied down Willy Boly to a new contract yesterday to end any speculation over his future.

The Ivory Coast defender has been exceptional in the latter part of the season, fully earning him his new contract.

Boly joined Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2022 after departing Wolves, where he was signed by Nuno Espirito Santo.

At 33, it may surprise some that Forest decided to retain him, but his performances certainly justify it. New details about his contract have emerged, and they contain an element of surprise.

This is definitely a piece of information worth noting as far as Forest fans are concerned.

On a day when many fans agreed that Ola Aina should have been given a longer contract at Forest, it would appear Boly has options.

Fabrizio Romano has posted on X that Boly has signed a one-year deal but the club has an option to extend it to June 2026.

Boly is now 33 and it’s intriguing that he has an option for a second in his contract but Aina doesn’t.

Still, this is a positive piece of news and it means Forest end any speculation over two cogs in their defensive unit possibly being out of contract this summer.

Garth Crooks is a big admirer of the defender, praising him as ‘impressive’ after his performance against Sheffield United three weeks ago.

WhoScored highlights why keeping Boly at Forest is a smart move. No central defender won more headers in the 2023/24 season; Boly won 57 headers in just 20 appearances.

He also made 20 interceptions and 86 clearances, despite playing fewer games than some of the team’s central defenders.

With Felipe retiring, Forest have lost a leader, but retaining Boly ensures there’s still significant influence in the dressing room for next season and beyond.