City have completed the loan signing of Joe Gardner from Nottingham Forest until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has made 12 appearances for Forest’s U21 side in Premier League 2 this season, scoring six times and setting up a further two goals. He has also made three appearances in the Vertu Trophy - netting in a win at Carlisle United.
Head coach Michael Skubala said: “We are really excited that Joe is joining us on loan for the rest of the season. Following Jack Moylan’s season ending injury, we have been looking for a player who can replicate his attacking attributes.
"Joe is a versatile forward-thinking player, who can play within our system as an attacking midfield player, and brings a unique skill set to our group. This is early in Joe’s development but he is a player of fantastic ability and potential, fearless in taking players on and has a goal threat.”
Director of football Jez George added: “We would like to thank Nottingham Forest for their help in us completing the loan for Joe. They gave us the opportunity to meet and present to Joe, his agent and their staff, so they could all make an informed decision. We have been open and honest in terms of expectation for playing time and Joe believes that we are the right club and the right environment for his first loan.
"We really must avoid comparisons with our last player on loan from Nottingham Forest. We have tracked Joe for two years. He is his own man and we look forward to him developing with us and contributing in his own way to us this season. We also look forward to further developing our relationship with Nottingham Forest through Ross Wilson and Craig Mulholland as well as across their football department for the benefit of both clubs.”