Nottingham Forest Close to Signing Steven Benda as Oliver Glasner Continues Summer Squad Reshaping
Nottingham Forest are reportedly on the verge of completing a deal for experienced goalkeeper Steven Benda, with the club continuing to make adjustments to their squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The 27-year-old German goalkeeper is set to move to the City Ground as a free agent after his contract with Fulham expired at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. Benda has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Forest, and the next major step is understood to be his medical, which is expected to take place on Friday. Provided there are no complications during the final stages of the process, the goalkeeper should then complete his move to Nottingham Forest.
The transfer is being viewed primarily as a squad-depth signing rather than a move for an immediate starter. According to reports from Sky Sports, Forest have identified Benda as the player who can fill the vacancy created by the departure of Angus Gunn. Matz Sels is still firmly established as Forest’s first-choice goalkeeper, meaning Benda is expected to begin life at the club as the third-choice option.
If the deal is completed as anticipated, Benda will become the fourth senior first-team player Nottingham Forest have brought in during the summer transfer window. His arrival would give manager Oliver Glasner another experienced goalkeeper to work with while also ensuring that the club have sufficient cover in an important position.
Benda Brings Valuable Experience From English Football
Although Benda has never managed to establish himself as a regular Premier League starter, the goalkeeper has accumulated significant experience playing in the English football pyramid since arriving in the country.
His journey began in 2017 when he joined Swansea City. However, his early opportunities at the Welsh club were limited, leading to a loan move to Swindon Town. It was during his time with Swindon that Benda began to gain valuable senior experience and establish himself as a reliable goalkeeper.
The 2019/20 season proved particularly memorable for Benda, as he played an important role in Swindon’s successful League Two campaign. The club went on to win the League Two title, giving the goalkeeper valuable experience of competing for promotion and performing under pressure.
Following his spell at Swindon, Benda returned to Swansea and initially continued to operate as a backup goalkeeper. He subsequently gained more experience during a loan spell with Peterborough United before eventually being handed a more prominent role at Swansea.
Benda became Swansea’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2022/23 season and made 23 appearances. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short after he suffered a knee injury, limiting his involvement for the remainder of the season.
Fulham then moved to sign Benda in 2023, but regular first-team opportunities proved difficult to secure at Craven Cottage. Competition for places meant that he spent much of his time away from the starting XI.
During the previous campaign, Benda continued to gain experience elsewhere, spending spells on loan at Millwall and Dutch club Feyenoord. Across those two loan periods, he made 12 appearances, allowing him to maintain his match fitness and continue developing his experience.
Nottingham Forest Still Have Several Areas to Strengthen
While Benda’s expected arrival should solve one of Forest’s squad-depth requirements, the goalkeeper is unlikely to be the final piece of business completed by the club during the summer window.
Glasner and Forest’s recruitment team are still examining several areas of the squad that require improvement. One of the most obvious priorities is the centre-forward position, with the club continuing to consider attacking options capable of providing additional goals and competition in the final third.
Forest could also look to strengthen their defensive options, particularly at full-back or wing-back. Adding another player capable of operating in wide defensive areas would provide Glasner with greater tactical flexibility and more alternatives when injuries, suspensions or fixture congestion become factors.
The central midfield department is another position that remains high on the manager’s list of priorities. Forest want to add greater quality and depth in the middle of the pitch as they attempt to improve on a disappointing league campaign in which they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Their recruitment plans have already suffered a setback after they missed out on Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder is instead set to continue his career in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, meaning Forest will now have to explore alternative targets to strengthen the centre of their midfield.
Benda Represents a Low-Cost and Practical Addition
Benda may not be the type of signing that immediately captures the imagination of Nottingham Forest supporters, particularly when compared with the club’s pursuit of players who could have a direct impact on the starting XI.
Nevertheless, his impending arrival appears to represent sensible squad planning. Since Benda is available without a transfer fee following the expiration of his Fulham contract, Forest can add an experienced goalkeeper without committing a substantial amount of their transfer budget to the position.
At 27, Benda also has plenty of professional experience while remaining at an age where he can still offer several years of dependable service. His background in English football means he is already familiar with the demands of the domestic game, having played for clubs including Swansea City, Swindon Town, Peterborough United and Fulham, as well as gaining experience abroad with Feyenoord.
Most importantly, his expected role means Forest do not need to rely on him as their primary goalkeeper. With Sels continuing as the established number one, Benda can provide reliable cover while competing for opportunities when required.
The more significant work for Forest is likely to take place in other areas of the squad. The club still need to address their midfield options, strengthen their attacking department and potentially recruit another player capable of operating at full-back or wing-back.
Benda’s arrival should therefore be viewed as a useful piece of squad management rather than the centrepiece of Forest’s summer recruitment. By completing the move for a free agent, Forest can strengthen their goalkeeping depth while preserving financial resources for the positions where Glasner believes major improvements are necessary.
With the new Premier League season approaching, Forest’s next moves could prove considerably more important. The club will be hoping to make further additions capable of making an immediate contribution as they look to build a stronger squad and avoid another campaign in the lower half of the Premier League standings.
