Over the course of the late 2010s, Britt Assombalonga established himself as a highly reliable goalscorer in the Championship.
Following his first professional appearance with Watford, he climbed through the lower leagues, netting regularly during temporary stints at Wealdstone, Braintree Town, and Southend United prior to transferring permanently to Peterborough, where an impressive 33-goal campaign secured his transfer to Nottingham Forest.
Upon completing this transfer in 2014, the attacker from the Democratic Republic of Congo rejoined the very team that had turned him away during his youth.
Assombalonga reflects on returning to Forest
At the age of 14, Assombalonga spent time on trial at the City Ground without securing a permanent contract. Nonetheless, the trial made a deep impact on the young player, rendering the opportunity to eventually put on the iconic Garibaldi jersey significantly more meaningful.
Between the vibrant atmosphere of the City Ground and the intense local derby against Derby County, Assombalonga’s time in Nottingham proved to be a pivotal period in his career.
“I originally trained on trial with Forest as a 14-year-old, and even though it didn’t result in a deal, the club created a powerful memory for me,” he revealed when speaking to FourFourTwo.
Despite that initial trial falling through, the forward—who went on to earn 10 caps for the DR Congo—harboured no resentment.
“It was always a dream of mine to return and demonstrate my true ability,” he added. “I never resented the decision—that is just part of football—yet I was convinced there was still a story left to complete.”
Following his £5 million move to Forest from Peterborough in 2014, Assombalonga developed an instant connection with the squad, the supporters, and their iconic ground.
“To be honest, the City Ground is incredible,” he stated. “With the fans fully backing the squad and the stadium buzzing, it creates an environment that few grounds can match.”
That electric stadium atmosphere becomes even more intense whenever Forest face off against their fiercest opponents.
“Particularly during the matches against Derby—I will always recall how hostile and passionate those fixtures were, given the geographical proximity and rich historical tension between both teams.
“It truly felt like representing a huge institution with a major place in the history of the English game. I thoroughly enjoyed my years at Forest and take immense pride in the goals I scored during my time there.”
