Nottingham Forest release THREE big-name stars and confirm exits of five loanees including forgotten Arsenal flop

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have announced the departures of three top stars after surviving in the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team ended the season six points clear of relegation after their 2-1 final day win at Burnley.

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Nuno Espirito Santo has decided on which players to retain this summer[/caption]

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Veteran Brazilian defender Felipe is retiring from playing[/caption]

Now they are set to make a number of changes to their squad ahead of a third-straight year in the Premier League.

And they have already started making room by announcing a number of departures by releasing their retained list. 

Forest have announced that Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wayne Hennessey will all depart the club upon the expiration of their contracts this summer.

The trio all moved to the City Ground after they won promotion from the Championship under Steve Cooper.

Felipe signed from Atletico Madrid in January 2023 and made a total of 25 times.

The 35-year-old Brazilian defender announced in March that he was planning to retire from playing this summer after making over 400 appearances for club and country.

Kouyate has been hugely-influential in helping Forest to survive twice since his arrival from Crystal Palace.

The Senegalese ex-West Ham midfielder, 34, played a total of 36 times for the club.

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And Welsh international goalie Wayne Hennessey will also become a free agent next month.

He only played four times during his two years at the club but the 37-year-old became “an important figure within the goalkeeping department” while there.

Meanwhile, Forest have also announced that the loan spells of five stars are now also over as they return to their parent clubs.

Left-back Nuno Tavares, who has flopped since signing for Arsenal in 2021, only made eight appearances during his season-long loan.

Liverpool fan favourite Divock Origi is heading back to AC Milan while USA winger Gio Reyna, 21, is returning to Borussia Dortmund.

Gonzalo Montiel and Rodrigo Ribeiro have also reached the end of their loan deals and will depart.

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Nuno Tavares failed to impress on loan from Arsenal[/caption]

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Cheikhou Kouyate will be a free agent when his contract expires next month[/caption]