FOOTBALL Three reasons why Divock Origi chose Nottingham Forest after snubbing Burnley and Fulham

Origi signed for Nottingham Forest from AC Milan on a season-long loan.

Divock Origi is itching to create a cult hero status at Nottingham Forest after a disappointing spell at AC Milan.

In an interview with the club, Origi revealed that complimenting Taiwo Awoniyi, taking up a leadership role, and being back at home (England) were some of the reasons that led to him signing for Forest.

After a fruitful spell playing for Liverpool between 2015 and 2022, Origi decided to test the waters in a new league and new country, but needless to say, it did not go as he had hoped.

So when an opportunity to return to England to play for another historical club emerged, he could not say no.

Speaking for the very first time since penning a year-long contract that saw the Belgian of Kenyan descent join on a season-long loan, Origi revealed that it is the approach and ambitions of the team that convinced him that Forest would be the right move for him.

“For me was from the beginning the approach, the ambitions of the team, and my personal ambitions,” Origi told the club’s media after signing.

“You could see there was a lining, you could feel there was something special going on, so it was an easy choice.”

Origi believes that the UK is like a second home to him, which will make his adaptation period very easy.

“It feels good to be back, even landing, I came with a friend. Coming back feels like home. I signed in the UK when I was like 19, so I grew up practically here.

“I came back also when I was playing in foreign countries so it feels amazing to be back.”

The Belgian joins a club that made 13 signings in the window, with eight of them signed in the last 48 hours of the transfer deadline day.

This may raise concern on the fact that they could be unsettled like they showed in the first part of last season after they had signed 19 new players, but the Belgian international is seeing the positive out of the matter having had a connecting conversation with head coach Steve Cooper.

“It is good. You can see the work he is doing and the energy he is bringing. You can tell from afar. Even before speaking with him, I spoke with him and he told me how he sees me and how he sees the team and he translated the values of the team very well.

“For me it was easy to understand. It was a brief conversation but we connected instantly and we both felt very good.”

Origi is a man on a mission to bring the best out of himself despite the fact he may have his work cut out to displace on-form forward Taiwo Awoniyi. 

“To bring the best (out) of myself. I am very excited to be back in the Premier League, a league I know so well and so I will have fun.”

Origi is also looking forward to taking up a leadership role at Forest given the experience he has amassed over the years.

“All the hard work that you put in, be sharp, finishing skills, technical skills, all the skills you have, just bring them together and give everything. All the energy and excitement you have, leave it all on the pitch.

“Bring the experience you have, the leadership, all these skills that you have and then try and make the best season possible with the boys.”

With 41 goals and 18 assists across 175 appearances for Liverpool, he played a pivotal role in securing titles such as the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and the historic Premier League title.

Forest have an option to buy Origi on a permanent basis with a 4.5 million pound buy clause inserted in his contract.