‘Didn’t use me at all!’ - Gio Reyna snubbed advice offer from USMNT team-mate Matt Turner before completing January loan transfer to Nottingham Forest

United States international goalkeeper Turner made his way to the City Ground in the summer of 2023, as he severed ties with Arsenal on a permanent basis. He has now been joined on the banks of the River Trent by fellow countryman Reyna.

The talented 21-year-old playmaker has joined Forest on a short-term loan deal, after agreeing a contract extension at Borussia Dortmund, and opted to head for England despite generating rival interest from teams in Spain and France.

Turner reached out to Reyna in an effort to help him make a big career call, but saw that act of kindness ignored. Turner has told the Futbol Americas podcast: “I heard some rumblings about it. A friend of mine had messaged me asking if it was true, I hadn't heard anything about it so I messaged Gio. True to Gio's nature he didn't respond so I thought to myself ‘oh, he didn't answer me so there must be something to that’. He had to go through the process on his own, figure out what was the best move for him and his career at that moment. And all I wanted to offer him was an ear if he wanted to bounce any ideas off of or ask any questions about the city and the football club. He didn't use me at all, and he ended up making the decision to come here and it's been really great having him, having another American here.”

Reyna made his debut for Forest off the bench in their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and will be hoping to see more minutes in a Premier League clash with Newcastle on Saturday. Turner may have to sit that game out, despite being a midweek penalty-saving hero in FA Cup competition, as he has lost his starting berth to January signing Matz Sels.