Which 11 players have played for both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest? Discover the complete list, from John Terry’s forgotten loan to Hudson-Odoi’s revival.
Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are two clubs with vastly different histories. While Chelsea has spent the 21st century establishing itself as a modern European superpower, Nottingham Forest is historic royalty, famously winning back-to-back European Cups under Brian Clough before the Premier League era began.
Despite their contrasting trajectories, the paths of these two iconic clubs have frequently intertwined in the transfer market. From legendary captains to modern academy prodigies, a select group of athletes has graced both Stamford Bridge and the City Ground.
1. John Terry
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Chelsea: 1998-2016 (Apps: 627 | Goals: 55 | Assists: 14) | Nottingham Forest: 1999 (Apps: 6 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0)
John Terry is universally recognized as one of the greatest central defenders in Premier League history.
“Captain, Leader, Legend” – he won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and a Champions League during his iconic tenure at Stamford Bridge, orchestrating one of the most formidable defenses European football has ever seen.
However, a little-known fact in his illustrious career is his brief stint at Nottingham Forest. In 1999, a young Terry was sent on a short-term loan to the City Ground to gain first-team experience. Although he only made six appearances for Forest, this period in the lower divisions helped toughen him up and prepare him for the rigorous demands of top-flight football.
2. Callum Hudson-Odoi
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Chelsea: 2017-2022 (Apps: 143 | Goals: 24 | Assists: 25) | Nottingham Forest: 2023-2025 (Apps: 113 | Goals: 19 | Assists: 8)
Callum Hudson-Odoi was once hailed as the absolute talent of Chelsea’s Cobham academy.
Blessed with electric pace, dazzling dribbling skills, and immense confidence, he broke into the first team as a teenager and even attracted massive bids from Bayern Munich. Unfortunately, a devastating Achilles injury derailed his rapid progress at Stamford Bridge.
Seeking a fresh start, less media scrutiny, and regular playing time, he made a permanent move to Nottingham Forest. At the City Ground, Hudson-Odoi has brilliantly revitalized his career. He has become a crucial attacking outlet, consistently delivering spectacular goals to help establish Forest as a competitive Premier League side.
3. Ryan Bertrand
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Chelsea: 2010-2013 (Apps: 37 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1) | Nottingham Forest: 2010 (Apps: 19 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1)
Ryan Bertrand occupies a truly unique and historic place in Chelsea’s history books, famously becoming the first player ever to make his Champions League debut in the final, starting out of position to help the Blues miraculously secure the trophy in 2012 against Bayern Munich.
Before reaching that historic pinnacle, the left-back underwent a series of loan spells to build his professional foundation. One of these vital developmental stops was Nottingham Forest in 2010.
During his half-season at the City Ground, Bertrand made 19 appearances, gaining essential experience in the Championship that eventually allowed him to break into Chelsea’s senior squad.
4. Ola Aina
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Chelsea: 2015-2016 (Apps: 9 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0) | Nottingham Forest: 2023-2025 (Apps: 85 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 3)
Another talented product of Chelsea’s prolific youth system.
Ola Aina struggled to secure a permanent spot in a squad overflowing with expensive international stars. After making just nine senior appearances for the Blues, the versatile fullback embarked on a journey that included successful stints in Italy’s Serie A with Torino.
Eventually, Aina returned to English football, signing a permanent deal with Nottingham Forest. At Forest, he has established himself as an incredibly reliable and dynamic presence on the flanks.
Utilizing his immense pace, defensive solidity, and vast European experience, Aina has become a fan favorite and a tactical linchpin for the team.
5. Andrey Santos
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Chelsea: 2023-2025 (Apps: 44 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 5) | Nottingham Forest: 2023 (Apps: 2 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0)
Arriving at Chelsea as one of South America’s most highly-rated prodigies, Andrey Santos carried immense expectations from the moment he signed.
To help the young Brazilian adapt to the intense physicality of English football, Chelsea’s new ownership sent him on loan to Nottingham Forest in 2023. However, the move proved to be heavily frustrating for all parties involved. Santos struggled to break into a crowded, relegation-battling midfield, making only two brief appearances.
Chelsea quickly recalled him to oversee his development directly, though the short stint remains a curious footnote in his early European career.
6. Omari Hutchinson
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Chelsea: 2022 (Apps: 23 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 8) | Nottingham Forest: 2025 (Apps: 36 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 5)
Omari Hutchinson is an electrifying attacking talent. After controversially crossing London from Arsenal’s academy to Chelsea’s youth setup, he found consistent first-team minutes hard to come by at Stamford Bridge despite his obvious potential.
Looking for the right platform to showcase his skills on a senior level, Hutchinson eventually found his way to Nottingham Forest. Playing at the City Ground has allowed him the freedom to express himself, utilizing his rapid footwork and creativity to carve out chances and gain vital top-flight experience.
7. Nathaniel Chalobah
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Nottingham Forest: 2013 (Apps: 12 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0) | Chelsea: 2016 (Apps: 15 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0)
Once heavily considered the future anchor of England’s midfield, Nathaniel Chalobah spent years navigating Chelsea’s infamous “loan army” system.
In 2013, he arrived at Nottingham Forest on a temporary deal. He managed to score twice in his 12 outings for Forest, leaving a positive impression.
While he eventually returned to Chelsea and earned a Premier League winners’ medal under Antonio Conte in 2017, his deep desire for regular football ultimately forced him to leave his boyhood club permanently to establish his career elsewhere in the English leagues.
8. Michael Mancienne
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Chelsea: 2008 (Apps: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0) | Nottingham Forest: 2014-2017 (Apps: 134 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 3)
Michael Mancienne was once touted by English media as the next great homegrown center-back, rising through Chelsea’s ranks and earning England youth captaincies. However, the immense pressure and the club’s habit of signing world-class defenders severely limited his breakthrough, restricting him to just five senior appearances.
Seeking stability, Mancienne eventually found a true footballing home at Nottingham Forest. From 2014 to 2017, he became a stalwart for the club. Providing versatility and quiet leadership across 134 appearances, he proved his worth as a dedicated professional away from the harsh spotlight of Stamford Bridge.
9. Dave Beasant
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Chelsea: 1992 (Apps: 17 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0) | Nottingham Forest: 1997-2000 (Apps: 139 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0)
Dave Beasant is a veteran English goalkeeper whose career spanned multiple clubs. His time at Chelsea was relatively brief, serving as a reliable shot-stopper during the 1992 campaign.
However, his connection with Nottingham Forest was much more substantial. Arriving at the City Ground in the twilight of his career, Beasant defied his age with incredible reflexes and a commanding box presence. He made an impressive 139 appearances for Forest between 1997 and 2000, becoming a highly respected figure among the supporters.
10. Neil Shipperley
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Chelsea: 1992-1994 (Apps: 37 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 2) | Nottingham Forest: 1998 (Apps: 20 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 1)
A classic English center-forward, Neil Shipperley began his professional journey with Chelsea in the early 1990s. He showed early promise as a traditional target man, netting seven goals in 37 appearances for the Blues before moving on to find guaranteed playing time.
Years later, during the 1998 season, Shipperley arrived at Nottingham Forest. Although his stint at the City Ground was relatively short – yielding just one goal and one assist in 20 matches – his robust playstyle, hold-up play, and aerial presence offered a distinct tactical option for Forest’s attacking frontline during a transitional period for the club.
11. Sam Hutchinson
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Chelsea: 2006-2011 (Apps: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1) | Nottingham Forest: 2012 (Apps: 9 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0)
Sam Hutchinson’s footballing story is one of incredible and defiant resilience.
A highly-rated defender coming through the Chelsea ranks, he was forced to retire from professional football at just 21 due to a severe knee injury. Miraculously, through sheer willpower and medical rehabilitation, he overcame the odds, came out of retirement, and resumed his career.
As part of his inspiring comeback, Chelsea loaned him to Nottingham Forest in 2012. While he only played 9 games for Forest, scoring once, this brief spell was a monumental personal victory, proving his fitness and paving the way for a successful career in the Championship.
FAQ: Chelsea and Nottingham Forest
Q: Who is the most successful player to play for both clubs?
A: John Terry is by far the most successful player on this list, having won five Premier League titles and a Champions League with Chelsea after his brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 1999.
Q: Who has made the most combined appearances for both clubs?
A: John Terry leads with a massive 633 combined appearances (627 for Chelsea, 6 for Forest). Excluding Terry, Callum Hudson-Odoi has the highest combined total with 256 appearances across both clubs.
Q: Have any players moved directly between the two clubs recently?
A: Yes, Callum Hudson-Odoi transferred directly from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal, while Andrey Santos moved on a brief loan in 2023.
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