Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThroughout the second half of the 2010s, Britt Assombalonga made his name as one of the Championship's most prolific strikers.After making his senior debut at Watford, he would work his way through the divisions, scoring goals on loan at Wealdstone, Braintree Town and Southend United before making a permanent move to Peterborough, where a 33-goal season earned him a move to Nottingham Forest.When he made this 2014 switch, the Congolese forward was returning to the club that had rejected him as a teenager.Assombalonga on his Forest returnAssombalonga had a trial at the City Ground when he was just 14, but was not able to earn himself a permanent deal. The experience, however, left a lasting impression on the youngster, meaning his change to finally pull on the famous Garibaldi red shirt meant even more to him.From the colour and noise of the City Ground to the bitter rivalry with Derby County, Assombalonga's spell back at Forest was a career-defining stint for him. You may like "The last time I played non-league football, I was still a teenager - it's still hard!" Britt Assombalonga on playing in the National League North Nottingham Forest were a semi-final away from what felt like Europa League glory last season, now, Oliver Glasner must stop an unravelling that seems to already be in effect - Nottingham Forest 2026-27 season preview 'I wasnt allowed to join Southampton after my loan spell. I could have been part of their rise to the Premier League' Michail Antonio on career-changing transfer that never happened "Id actually been on trial at Forest when I was 14 and, while it didnt work out, the club left a massive impression on me," he admits to FourFourTwo.While this trial did not work out for him, the 10-time DR Congo international refused to bear a grudge.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."Id always dreamt of going back and proving them wrong," he continues. "Not that I ever held it against them these things happen but I felt I had unfinished business there."When Assombalonga joined Forest for a �5million fee from Peterborough in 2014, he immediately fell for the team, the fans and their famous stadium."The City Ground is amazing, honestly," he adds. "When the crowd is behind the team and the place is rocking, there are few atmospheres like it."Never is this atmosphere so raw as when Forest play their most bitter rivals."Especially when we played Derby I can always remember how fierce the atmosphere was in those games due to the history between the clubs and the fact theyre so close."I really felt like I was playing for a massive club that had historical importance to English football. I loved my time at Forest and Im really proud to have scored the goals I did there."TOPICSNottingham ForestChampionshipJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
