Nottingham Forest's new number 10, Morgan Gibbs-White, has said Steve Cooper was the "biggest influence" in his decision to join the club.
Gibbs-White was confirmed as Forest's 16th signing of the summer when he arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, signing a five-year deal at the City Ground. Cooper was keen to secure the midfielder's services having been a fan of his talent after coaching him at both Swansea City and with England's Under-17s.
He will wear the number ten shirt for the first time in his career and he has fulfilled a prediction made by supporters when Forest's squad numbers were released earlier this month. Speaking to Forest TV, he said: "The number ten has been my favourite since I was a little kid and this is the first time I’ve managed to wear it in my career, so I can’t wait to showcase it now."
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The initial transfer fee is of £25 million plus add-ons, taking the overall cost to a little over £40m. "It's an amazing feeling to be here," Gibbs-White added. "It's been in the pipeline for a while now and with the relationship I already have with the manager.
"It was in talks for me coming here for a while, it was just all about getting it done. I wanted it to get done earlier but it's better late than never. I'm just happy to be here and I can't wait to get started."
The former Wolves man describes Forest's project as one that he believes in. "The club are heading in the right direction and you can see what the manager wants to do," he continued.
"He wants to build a routine and try to create a future, I believe in it and can't wait to get going."
On his decision to join Forest, he explained: "[Cooper was] the biggest influence. From working with him since I was 16 years old, he knows me in and out so he had a big influence but he knows me, he knows the way I play.
"I know the way he wants to play and I feel like we have a good relationship on and off the pitch so I just can't wait to get working with him. [Leaving Wolves], I just felt I needed something different. I felt like I hit a brick-wall there, I just needed a fresh start and I believe Forest is the perfect place."
The Reds will return to home ground at the end of the month as they host Antonio Conte's Tottenham and Gibbs-White is hopeful he can continue his good form on Trentside. "I scored every time I played at the [City] Ground so I'm hoping I can continue that," he added.
"The fans were incredible in the semi-final play off. I've never seen anything like it so I can't wait to get in front of them and start playing."
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