Nottingham Forest remodel frontline by finally landing Matty Fryatt

Nottingham Forest, an outside 20/1 shout for the Championship title next season, have landed long-time target Matty Fryatt on a free transfer, following his release from Hull City.

The former Leicester City frontman, 28, is new Reds boss Stuart Pearce’s first signing, and the man affectionately nicknamed ‘Psycho’ by Forest fans is set to follow that up by bringing in another forward.

Dutch target man Lard Veldwijk, 22, is also joining the East Midlands outfit for a reported £2m, following a prolific spell at Rotterdam’s second side Excelsior. The 6ft 5in attacker netted 30 goals in 38 league games as the club he is leaving were promoted back into the Eredivisie.

Pearce has thus replaced the likes of Matt Derbyshire (who has since joined promoted Rotherham United), Ishamel Miller and Marcus Tudgay, who were all let go by Forest when the club campaign ended. Holding midfielders Simon Gillett, Jonathan Greening and Guy Moussi, as well as utility man and Chile international Gonzalo Jara were all released too.

That means an overhaul in the middle of the park is also planned at the City Ground, with Wales international David Vaughan expected to make his loan move from Sunderland permanent on July 1st.

In other Championship transfer news, Birmingham City, last gasp survivors on the final day under Lee Clark, have landed MK Dons and former Wolves midfielder Stephen Gleeson for free.

The 25-year-old, capped twice by the Republic of Ireland in 2007, has been handed a two-year deal at St Andrew’s. Clark has also brought Oldham Athletic and ex-Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Grounds to the Blues this summer, while Spurs’ Grant Hall joined on loan for next campaign.

Given the stringent financial situation facing Birmingham, another season of struggle is expected in the West Midlands. They are rank outsiders at 40/1 to somehow top the Championship table next term.