Alious
Ryan Yates, now a Premier League regular and Nottingham Forest captain, has revealed a fascinating “what if” moment from his career path.
The midfielder disclosed that in 2018, he came incredibly close to joining Hull City – so close, in fact, that he was standing outside their stadium on deadline day, waiting for a call that never came.
The revelation adds an intriguing layer to Yates’s Forest journey. Then-manager Aitor Karanka, preferring experienced midfielders, had given Yates permission to leave on loan with just two days remaining in the transfer window.
However, Hull’s last-minute decision to sign another player inadvertently kept Yates at the City Ground, where he would later flourish under Martin O’Neill.
At 27, Yates has now played across all five divisions of English football, though his path to Premier League football wasn’t always certain.
Currently benefiting from increased playing time due to Danilo’s ankle injury, he’s earned praise from respected journalist Henry Winter, though remains a somewhat divisive figure among fans.
While his work rate and commitment are unquestioned – traits that particularly impressed O’Neill – the challenge now facing Yates is to add more consistency to his game at Premier League level.
The club has shown their faith in “Mr. Nottingham Forest” with a new contract, recognizing that his best performances often come when he plays within his limitations and keeps his game simple.
It’s a remarkable trajectory from nearly joining Hull to captaining Forest in the Premier League, particularly for a player who has become such an embodiment of the club.
Alious
