After weeks on the sidelines, Douglas Luiz was finally back in Nottingham Forest’s starting line-up, taking a significant step forward in his recovery journey. The Brazilian midfielder, on loan from Juventus, made his first Premier League start since suffering a thigh injury in early November. Yet his comeback was bittersweet — Luiz was involved in the decisive moment of the match against Fulham, conceding a penalty just before half-time that ultimately sealed Forest’s defeat.
IlBianconero report how In the 45th minute, the former Juventus man mistimed a challenge inside the box, leaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot. Raúl Jiménez converted confidently, putting Fulham ahead — a lead they never relinquished. It was an unfortunate twist for Luiz, whose overall display otherwise hinted at progress both physically and mentally after weeks of enforced rest.
Despite the costly error, Luiz’s return to the starting XI remains a crucial milestone. He stayed on the pitch until the 73rd minute, showing encouraging signs of match fitness and composure in possession. Every minute on the pitch now holds value, not just for Nottingham Forest but also for Juventus, who are carefully monitoring his progress as his loan spell unfolds.
The 27-year-old has been gradually reintegrated since his recovery began earlier this month. He played 45 minutes in the Europa League against Utrecht on 11 December, followed by a brief five-minute appearance in the league clash with Tottenham on 14 December. His latest outing — a 73-minute shift at Craven Cottage on 22 December — represents another step towards full match rhythm and confidence.
The Juventus–Nottingham Forest Agreement
Juventus announced in the summer that Douglas Luiz had joined Nottingham Forest on loan until 30 June 2026 for a fee of €3 million. The agreement includes a conditional obligation for Forest to make the transfer permanent should certain performance-based conditions be met during the 2025/26 campaign. The total value of the permanent deal is set at €25 million, payable across four financial years, with potential bonuses of up to €3.5 million linked to specific sporting objectives.
