NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Jack Hobbs’ signing caps a successful transfer window for Reds

Nottingham Forest boosted their bid for promotion to the Premier League with the signing of defender Jack Hobbs late on transfer deadline day.

The central defender put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal shortly before the window closed at 11pm on Friday.

His arrival for an undisclosed fee from Hull City capped a successful January in the transfer market for the Reds.

He followed in the footsteps of Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan who has joined the City Ground outfit on loan until the end of the season, as has Nice defender Kevin Gomis and Southampton full back Danny Fox. Fox has signed with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

Algeria striker Rafik Djebbour has also arrived at the club in a £1.5m move from Greek club Olympiakos.

The signings are a clear intent by Forest owner and chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi to equip boss Billy Davies with a squad to challenge for promotion.

Davies’ men are currently unbeaten in 10 Championship matches and overcame a two-deficit against Watford on Thursday night to win 4-2.

In a statement released on the club’s website www.nottinghamforest.co.uk late on Friday, Mr Al Hasawi thanked supporters for their backing.

He said: “I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to every fan who has offered me their support this month. I have been working day and night throughout January - it has not been easy - but I’m thrilled to say it has all been worth it.

“At the beginning of the window it was our ambition to make two or three additions, but Jack Hobbs’ arrival takes our total number of January signings to five.

“I am absolutely delighted with what we have achieved, but the truly important work starts now. I have put in place the manager, staff and players and it’s time to look forward to an exciting end of the season.”

The chairman also issued a rallying call to supporters to get behind the team against Yeovil at the City Ground on Sunday.

He added: “There is nothing more I’d like to see on Sunday than a packed-out City Ground. The players are in excellent form but they need your fantastic support to continue if we are to achieve our dream of reaching the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Hobbs has revealed that Forest was always his number one choice after weeks of speculation over the ex-Liverpool man’s future.

He had returned to parent club Hull City after Tigers’ boss Steve Bruce recalled him from a successful loan spell at Forest midway through January.

And after reports linking him with moves to Reading, Wigan and even Leicester, the defender told www.nottinghamforest.co.uk that he was delighted to have finally committed his future to the Reds.

He said: “I’m thrilled it’s all sorted. It’s been dragging on quite a while but I’m delighted to be a Nottingham Forest player. It was nice to have interest from other clubs but I always wanted to be here.

“To get called back was frustrating because I had been playing a lot of games and was in good form. My future was uncertain but the manager and chairman have been fantastic and I’m excited to be here on a permanent basis.

“I think everyone knows how much I enjoy it here and how well I’ve settled in. I feel like it’s a club going places and I want to be part of that.

“I’ll train today and be available for selection against Yeovil on Sunday. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and helping us achieve promotion.”