
<p>Former Arsenal goalkeeper and United States international Matt Turner signed with Nottingham Forest last month for a whopping $12.7 million.</p>



<p>Turner committed to the club for four years after signing a contract with them. He was formerly with the New England Revolution before joining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> in June of last year.</p>



<p>Turner, who is now 29 years old, started all four of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">United States</a>‘ 2022 World Cup games but saw club action exclusively in cup competitions. This summer, the Gunners decided to sign David Raya from Brentford, thus significantly diminishing his prospects of becoming the team’s starting goalkeeper.</p>



<h2>Forest sign another goalkeeper on Deadline Day</h2>



<p>Concerns are present that Forest’s latest addition would give Matt Turner even more competition for a starting berth. Odysseas Vlachodimos, a goalkeeper for the Greek national team, signed from Benfica by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> club <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/deadline-day-winners-nottingham-forest-makes-3-late-deals-20230901-WST-453579.html">Nottingham Forest</a>. The deal became official on Friday.</p>



<p><em>“We’re pleased to welcome Odysseas to Nottingham Forest. He is very talented and brings an abundance of experience with him, and he will add real competition to our goalkeeping department”,</em> Ross Wilson, chief football officer at Forest, said as much on the <a href="https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2023/september/01/forest-complete-signing-of-odysseas-vlachodimos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">club’s official website</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This angle of Matt Turner’s save! 🧤<br><br>[🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/NFFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFFC</a>]<a href="https://t.co/st50itCIiM">pic.twitter.com/st50itCIiM</a></p>— USMNT Otaku 🇺🇸 (@USMNTOtaku) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNTOtaku/status/1695857774683431334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The 29-year-old has signed a four-year contract at the City Ground. He departs Benfica after posting 94 clean sheets in 225 appearances for the Portuguese club. </p>



<p>After the failed transfer of former loanee Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace, Vlachodimos has arrived in Nottingham to compete with Matt Turner for the starting goalkeeper position.</p>



<h2>Matt Turner will fight Odysseas Vlachodimos to be Forest no.1</h2>



<p>Vlachodimos trained in the Stuttgart academy and played for Panathinaikos before joining the Benfica team. Two Portuguese titles and two consecutive trips to the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Champions League can be attributed to him.</p>



<p>The Greek national was on the market this summer after allegedly having a falling out with head coach Roger Schmidt. </p>



<p>Forest had the chance to acquire the 29-year-old when Manchester United decided to pass on him.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ANP</p>


Matt Turner to face stiff competition from Forest’s new signing

Nottingham Forest's latest addition will give United States' international goalie, Matt Turner a run for his money.


<p>United States men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner has officially completed his move from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> to Nottingham Forest. The American makes the switch from north London to the East Midlands for around $9 million. He becomes the club’s third summer signing after already completed deals for Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga.</p>



<p>“It feels great to be here.&nbsp;It’s something I’m really looking forward to, it’s a great challenge and a great step in my career,” Turner <a href="https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2023/august/09/forest-complete-signing-of-matt-turner/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> after completing the move. “When I heard that there was interest to bring me here, it just felt right for my family, it felt right when my agent spoke to me about it, and it feels like the right move for me right now.”</p>



<p>“The manager and the backroom staff, everything about the club has a little sparkle to it,” continued the keeper. “It’s felt right from the start and I’m happy it’s got done. I’m looking forward to making a connection with my teammates, the fans and the city. I’m grateful to be here and can’t wait to get things started.”</p>



<h2>Turner has clear path to starting role at Nottingham Forest</h2>



<p>Turner only spent one season with the Gunners as the backup to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England</a> international Aaron Ramsdale. Although the American did not make a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> appearance, he did grab seven total starts during the 2022/23 campaign. Turner collected four combined clean sheets in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> competitions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From Stateside to Trentside. <br><br>A new chapter awaits ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/N2zA9tn7NG">pic.twitter.com/N2zA9tn7NG</a></p>— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFFC/status/1689214945345376257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Howard, Guzan last Americans to be starting EPL keepers</h5>



<p>The move to Forest will now allow Turner to become a number-one goalkeeper once again. American shot-stoppers have a significant history in the Premier League. Juergen Sommer, Kasey Keller, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, and Brad Guzan have all previously plied their trade in the English top division. However, there has not been a regular starting American keeper in the league since 2016.</p>



<p>Guzan and Howard both played significant Premier League minutes during the 2015/16 season. Guzan then became a backup to Victor Valdes at Middlesborough the following campaign, while Howard moved back to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">MLS</a>. However, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> fans will be excited about Turner’s move to Forest. It will finally allow an American to be back between the posts in the Premier League regularly.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; PA Images</em></p>


Matt Turner is moving to Nottingham Forest, which means an American goalkeeper will start regularly in the Premier League.

Matt Turner to accomplish first milestone for Americans in 7 years

destacadas


<p>Matt Turner has claimed that the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usmnt-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USMNT</a> would be “grateful” to have Folarin Balogun. The two are teammates at Premier League side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arsenal</a>, but Balogun is currently on loan with Ligue 1 club Reims. Balogun has already scored 18 goals for the French club in 29 total matches during the current campaign. However, he <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/england-squad-for-march-2023-omits-potential-usmnt-talent-20230316-WST-423586.html">did not make it into the England squad</a> for the March Euro 2024 qualifiers.</p>



<p>Turner, arguably the USMNT’s number one keeper, spoke on their relationship with reporters on Tuesday.</p>



<p>“I spoke to Flo. We obviously had most of our preseason together, and I knew going into it he had some roots in the U.S.,” Turner <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4907961/arsenal-teammate-balogun-a-great-addition-for-us-turner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> at a recent press conference. “So he and I developed a relationship pretty quickly. That’s pretty much the extent of it. We check in on each other here and there.”</p>



<p>“He’d be a great addition to our national team. I think he’s done really well, obviously, for his club on loan, and we’ll see. The decision has to come from the heart, because it’s not necessarily an easy task to come and play in these CONCACAF games. It’s a tough region at times. So for us, we’d be really grateful to have him, but his heart needs to be in it.”</p>



<h5>Highly-rated striker not yet declared allegiance</h5>



<p>Balogun is eligible to play for either the USMNT, England or Nigeria. The striker was born in New York, but moved to England at the age of two. He has represented both the Three Lions and the Yanks at various youth levels. </p>



<p>The 21-year-old in-demand forward recently discussed his future with <em>Sky Sports</em>. “My international future is not decided yet in terms of who I’ll play for, but of course I want to play international football at the highest level in the World Cups and I want to compete at the highest level,” Balogun <a href="https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12839468/folarin-balogun-im-sure-discussions-will-take-place-with-arsenal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a>.</p>



<p>“I want to put myself in positions where I’m performing in front of millions of people.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">USMNT-eligible Folarin Balogun has withdrawn from England&apos;s U-21 camp due to injury. <br><br>He went the full 90&apos; in Reims last match, a game in which he scored, and has not been listed as hurt by the club. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/dwNyxMZAjz">pic.twitter.com/dwNyxMZAjz</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1638258275723407383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Balogun is possibly in Orlando, close to USMNT camp and Turner</h2>



<p>Twitter sleuths determined that Balogun was supposedly <a href="https://twitter.com/usmntonly/status/1638681592636817408" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in Orlando on Wednesday</a>. The striker was named in England’s U-21 team earlier in the week, but he pulled out of the squad because of an apparent injury.</p>



<p>Orlando would be a particularly interesting place for Balogun to be. The USMNT is currently training in the area as they prepare for two <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/concacaf-nations-league-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CONCACAF Nations League</a> matchups. The Americans travel to Grenada on Friday, before hosting El Salvador on Monday. USMNT fans will be hoping that Balgoun is in the sunshine state for more than just a vacation.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PRiME Media Images</em></p>


USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner has claimed that the team would be 'grateful' if Folarin Balogun chooses the Yanks over England.

Matt Turner says Yanks 'grateful' if Balogun chooses USMNT


<p>Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">United States Men’s National Team</a> goalkeeper Brad Friedel has claimed that Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner should change clubs. In an exclusive discussion with <em><a href="https://www.sportingpost.com/2023/02/21/brad-friedel-exclusive-if-matt-turner-is-not-going-to-be-the-number-one-he-has-got-to-go/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sporting Post</a></em>, Friedel says lack of playing time for the duo isn’t good for their careers. </p>



<p>Both Pulisic and Turner essentially have backup roles with their current clubs.</p>



<h2>Friedel says Pulisic has better opportunities, Turner needs game time</h2>



<p>“It goes back to having too many players at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>. Look at who he is up against,” Friedel <a href="https://www.sportingpost.com/2023/02/21/brad-friedel-exclusive-if-matt-turner-is-not-going-to-be-the-number-one-he-has-got-to-go/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> of Pulisic. “I’m not one of those people who says someone should leave if they’re not playing because I believe you need to fight for your place and prove your worth. But if there aren’t going to be opportunities, Christian is one of the most important players for USA so we’re going to want him to be playing consistently.”</p>



<p>“I’ve never spoken to him so I don’t know what he wants, whether wants to stay and fight for his place or if he wants a new challenge. It’s going to be one of those summers where either he is told he is in Chelsea’s plans and they offer him a new deal, or he gets sold.”</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Iran vs. United States Highlights | 2022 FIFA World Cup" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TNl7ZcnDB0Q?start=71&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>“Looking at things I’m thinking it’s probably the latter and we’ll see him somewhere else which could be good for him to play consistently.”</p>



<p>Pulisic is currently <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/potter-rules-pulisic-out-for-two-months-with-knee-injury-20230111-WST-415166.html">sidelined with a knee injury</a>. The USMNT star, however, was not exactly playing regularly even before the setback. In fact, the attacker made just seven starts out of 23 combined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> fixtures this season. Pulisic is seemingly unhappy with his current role and would love to play more. It appears very likely that a summer switch will happen for the American.</p>



<h5>Turner appears happy at Arsenal</h5>



<p>Although Turner is also <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/24/usmnt-goalkeepers-lack-of-playing-time-creates-big-dilemma/">not starting many matches</a> for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>, his situation is a bit different. Aaron Ramsdale is the clear number one at the club and Turner seems happy with his current role. He featured prominently in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a>, for example.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, Friedel says that the fellow goalkeeper should look elsewhere.</p>



<p>“Look at Matt’s competition for the national team spot,” Friedel continued. “He was the number one then and he’s gone all this time without playing, but Zack Steffen, who wasn’t getting a game at Manchester City, is now playing well for Middlesbrough.”</p>



<p>“They are possible promotion candidates and all of a sudden with Zack playing at a high level in the Championship and potentially in the Premier League and he’s playing every week whilst Matt is on the bench. Then you’re looking at another change in who is the number one keeper for the U.S. national team.”</p>



<p>“I think that Matt, no matter what, even though Arsenal are an incredible club, has to find consistent football somewhere. This season, fine, but if he’s not going to be the number one he has got to go.”</p>



<p>Turner has played well in limited time with Arsenal this season. The American has kept four clean sheets in six total matches during the current campaign. Despite Friedel’s comments, an imminent departure from Arsenal by Turner seems unlikely for now.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel has claimed that Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner should leave their current clubs for game time.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Matt Turner"

Leagues: EPL

Matt Turner to face stiff competition from Forest’s new signing

Arsenal

Matt Turner to accomplish first milestone for Americans in 7 years

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Matt Turner says Yanks 'grateful' if Balogun chooses USMNT

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Pulisic, Turner should leave Chelsea and Arsenal, says Friedel