James McAtee explains decision to leave Man City and join Nottingham Forest as £30m transfer is confirmed

Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of midfielder James McAtee from Manchester City.

The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract until June 2030 and moves to the City Ground in a deal worth up to £30m with add-ons.

McAtee joins Forest having recently lifted the Under-21 European Championship in June when he captained England and produced a man-of-the-match performance as the Young Lions beat Germany 3-2 in the final to lift the trophy.

He will now link up with another England Under-21 star at Forest in Omari Hutchinson, whose £37.5m transfer from Ipswich Town was confirmed just a few hours earlier.

McAtee and Hutchinson have become Nuno Espirito Santo’s fifth and sixth summer signings after Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Angus Gunn, while Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo is allegedly on the verge of becoming the club’s seventh new addition.

Forest's latest addition. ? pic.twitter.com/o6i7moh4xQ

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 16, 2025

McAtee “ready for a new challenge” after joining Forest

Speaking to Forest’s official website following confirmation of his permanent arrival, McAtee said: “I feel ready for a new challenge and the club had a great season last year so I want to help build on that and show what I can do.

“I’m so happy to be here and really looking forward to getting started with my new teammates and I know the ambition of everyone associated with the club which is something I want to be a part of.”

Forest’s Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson, added: “It goes without saying that we’re absolutely delighted to welcome James to Nottingham Forest. He’s a player we’ve admired for a long time, and our conversations with Manchester City, James, his family and his representatives over the past month have been incredibly constructive.

“After captaining England to the Under-21 European Championship title, James took some time to reflect on his next step - and we’re thrilled he’s chosen Forest. We are proud to now have three extremely exciting young talents from the group that lifted the Under-21 EURO trophy with Elliot [Anderson], Omari and now James.

“There was strong interest in James, but he showed a real determination to join us. Our players have been excited about the possibility of him arriving, and now we can officially welcome him into the group.”

McAtee has now ended an 11-year association with Man City, having first joined the club’s academy at Under-11 level before progressing through their youth ranks, culminating in an integral role on their way to FA Youth Cup glory in 2020.

Thank you, Macca ? pic.twitter.com/wFi4JOWVnJ

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 16, 2025

McAtee bids emotional farewell to Man City after 11 years

The Salford-born playmaker made his first-team debut in September 2021 and went on to play 34 times under Pep Guardiola across all competitions, scoring seven goals including his first senior hat-trick in an 8-0 FA Cup victory over Salford last season.

McAtee was rated highly at Man City, but he was limited to only three starts and 12 substitute outings in the 2024-25 Premier League and he is now ready to pursue a fresh challenge at Forest, who are preparing for their first European campaign in 30 years.

Man City have released a farewell statement from McAtee on their official website, which read: “I would like to thank everyone at Manchester City for all of their support and guidance during my time here.

“I joined as a boy with a dream of playing at the highest level and I’ve been able to achieve that as part of Pep’s incredible squad.

“It’s been amazing every step of the way - from winning the FA Youth Cup, to making my first team debut and developing from there.

“I leave City with lots of great memories and wishing only the best for everyone involved in my development here.”

McAtee is set to be introduced to the City Ground faithful for the first time when Nottingham Forest play host to Brentford in their opening Premier League match of the new season on Sunday.

Forest’s latest arrival, along with Hutchinson, could make his debut for the club when they travel to Crystal Palace for their first away fixture of the new campaign next weekend.