Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien to join D.C. United on loan

Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien will join Major League Soccer’s D.C. United on loan for the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Sources close to 90min confirm that the two parties have already agreed to terms for the loan spell, after head coach Wayne Rooney convinced O’Brien of the project at D.C. United.

The player’s future was initially at risk, after failing to secure a transfer to Championship high-fliers Blackburn Rovers during deadline day. Director of football Gregg Broughton revealed Rovers experienced “internal and external” reasons that led to late submission, and the club appealed the decision in the hope of the move being ratified.

But the EFL rejected the bid as Rovers had not submitted all of the required paperwork in time.

The unfortunate outcome left O’Brien unable to feature for the remainder of the season, after Forest did not name him in their 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the campaign.

But Rooney stepped in with the chance at a new chapter with the Black and Red in Major League Soccer. O’Brien will now join D.C United with one goal in 17 appearances under his belt.

D.C. United could use the reinforcement, after concluding the 2022 MLS campaign in last place of the Eastern Conference table with just 27 points in 34 games. The team kicked off this season with significant hope, defeating Toronto 3-2 in the season opener before falling 0-2 to Columbus Crew on March 4.