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Nottingham Forest have completed the loan signing of striker Lorenzo Lucca until the end of the season. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent in the summer for around €40 million, with Forest confirming the transfer on Friday. The 25-year-old arrives from Napoli amid Forest’s search for a forward, with last season’s top scorer Chris Wood sidelined by a knee injury.
Nottingham Forest Add Napoli Striker Lorenzo Lucca in Season-Long Loan Deal
Nottingham Forest have completed the loan signing of striker Lorenzo Lucca. The Athletic reported on Thursday that an agreement had been reached that includes an option to make the transfer permanent this summer for around €40 million (£34.7m), and that Lucca flew from Naples on Thursday evening to undergo a medical. Forest confirmed the arrival on Friday in a post on social media.
The 25-year-old has been on loan at the Italian champions from Udinese since the summer. The Athletic reported on Sunday that Forest were close to an agreement for Lucca, who has scored twice in 23 games this season, playing only 595 minutes. His output in Serie A has been limited, with one goal in 16 league appearances for Napoli.
Lucca’s situation has been shaped by the arrangements between Napoli and Udinese. The Athletic said the loan deal between Udinese and Napoli becoming permanent is considered a formality, with the obligation to buy set to become active in February, and that control over the player therefore comes through Napoli. Lucca joined Napoli on a season-long loan last summer after registering 14 goals over 36 games in the 2024-25 term.
Forest’s interest in attacking reinforcements has been driven by Wood’s knee injury. The Athletic reported last week that Iran international Mehdi Taremi was at the top of Forest’s four-forward list and that Lucca’s arrival is not expected to change that, while Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen was also being considered. Lucca has made five appearances for Italy but was not selected for international squads in September, October and November.
