The European Cup is on display as new Nottingham Forest signing Nuno da Costa arrives to meet a group of young football fans.
The striker has made an appearance as part of Schools Football Week for the club’s Community Trust, but he cannot resist taking a photo of that famous piece of silverware.
He politely declines when asked if he would like to be snapped with the trophy, saying, ‘not yet’ with a grin - and you get the impression this is a young man who wants to help write another chapter in the Reds’ history.
Da Costa has made the move to the City Ground with winning a place in the Premier League very much in mind.
He remembers watching English top-flight games on the TV when he was growing up.
Born in Cape Verde and raised in Portugal, he took an interest in one particular Portuguese icon - Cristiano Ronaldo - as he supported Manchester United.
“They are red - like Nottingham Forest! So it’s all okay,” the 28-year-old jokes.
“I always wanted to play in England.
“I remember when I was a kid, watching Manchester United and players like Dwight Yorke playing over here. And Portuguese players like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in England.
“It was quite easy to make the decision to come here.
“I think playing over here can suit me.
“Every player with the same kind of profile as me has succeeded here, so why not me?”
Da Costa put pen to paper on a permanent deal at the club last week, making the move from French side Strasbourg in a deal reportedly worth around 2m euros.
This is his first taste of English football, but he has a fair bit of experience under his belt.
A Cape Verde international, he enjoyed promotion to the top tier with Strasbourg and has played in the Europa League, while he previously played for Valenciennes.
He says he didn’t need much convincing to switch to Trentside - but got a friendly twist of the arm from goalkeeper Brice Samba nonetheless.
“We grew up together, playing in different teams in France,” Da Costa said of Samba.
“I have played against him before and we come from the same city. My wife knows his wife, too.
“We talked a lot about the club.
“He is helping me to adapt.
“He told me just to come! He said, ‘we will succeed, we will do great things, so come and you will see!’.
“He didn’t tell me a lot about the club, but the things he told me made me take this choice - and I think it is a good choice.
“I have a lot of friends who know about the club, some of them already here - like Brice.
“I know John Bostock too.
“They told me there is a good team spirit.
“And I know the coach (Sabri Lamouchi) from the matches we played against Rennes. I knew he was a good coach.
“The project, too, was good - playing to go to the Premier League. That is something everyone wants to do.
“For me, it was quite easy to make this choice.”
Under Lamouchi, the Reds find themselves sat fourth in the Championship table ahead of this weekend’s clash with Leeds United.
Da Costa knew all about him from the Frenchman’s time at Rennes, who he led to the Europa League. And he is looking forward to working with Lamouchi on the banks of the Trent.
“He has a reputation as someone who is calm and talks a lot with his players - that is not common with all coaches,” Da Costa said.
“He has a good reputation.
“And he knows me well, so he knows how to use me best.
“The club were searching for a player with my kind of profile, so they came to me and we talked a little bit.
“They told me about the project, which I liked, and they started talking with my previous club.
“Things went fast at the end of the transfer window and then I signed!
“I’ve enjoyed being with my teammates so far, learning about them and the club itself.
“It’s been a nice experience - my first time in England, so I’m trying to adapt as fast as I can and then try to get in the team.
“They are taking care of me, so I’m confident I can adapt quickly.”
