Bringing in Braian Ojeda is a sign of Nottingham Forest’s ambition, according to fellow midfielder Ryan Yates.
Ojeda put pen to paper on a four-year deal for the Reds in the summer, making the move from Olimpia, in his native Paraguay.
He has yet to make his debut in the Garibaldi, but has featured for the Under-23s and made his first appearance in the senior matchday squad on Sunday, when he was on the bench for the 4-0 defeat at home to Fulham.
Head coach Steve Cooper has consistently said patience is required when it comes to blooding in the 21-year-old, as he adapts to English football and being in a new country.
But Yates has been impressed with what he has seen from Ojeda in training, with the youngster adding to the competition in the centre of the pitch. He also fits in with Forest’s focus on youth, as part of a shift in their transfer approach under CEO Dane Murphy.
“The competition is really strong,” Yates told NottinghamshireLive.
“Braian, who has come from Paraguay is a really, really good player. He’s been really bright in training and gives us something a little bit different.
“I’m sure he’ll get his chance. He’s really good.
“It’s really tough for him, having come over here, and he doesn’t really speak the language that well.
“You can just tell straight away from the first session, he’s very intense, and he wants to learn - you can’t really ask for more than that.
“He’s still quite young. It will take him time to adapt.
“It just shows the ambition of the club, going out and buying a young, hungry player who is desperate for the shirt. It only bodes well for what the club is trying to do.
“There’s always been competition in centre mid at Forest for as long as I’ve been here. It’s only going to improve the team, make training better and improve us as individuals.”
