Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of goalkeeper Steven Benda on a one-year contract. The 27-year-old German arrives as a free agent after his departure from Fulham this summer.
Benda is expected to serve as backup to first-choice keeper Matz Sels, with John Victor also providing competition. His arrival adds necessary depth to a position where Forest have been assessing their options. The club's current squad list shows they have been active in the market to build a balanced group for the Premier League campaign.
Steven Benda brings a mix of Championship and Premier League experience to the City Ground. He spent the last three seasons with Fulham, though much of that time involved loan spells away from Craven Cottage. During the 2025/26 campaign, he had stints with Millwall in the Championship and Dutch side Feyenoord, where he was part of Robin van Persie's squad that finished second in the Eredivisie.
His career began in Swansea City's academy in 2017. A successful loan at Swindon Town in the 2019/20 season was a breakout moment, where his performances in their League Two title win earned him the nickname "The BFG" from supporters. Swindon manager Richie Wellens had wanted to bring him back, but Benda returned to Swansea and made his Championship debut for them later in 2020.
Benda's role at Forest is clearly defined as a supporting goalkeeper. This mirrors the position he held at Fulham, where he was seldom the first choice but provided reliable cover. At Forest, he will work behind established number one Matz Sels. The club's goalkeeping department now has a blend of top-flight experience and potential, which is vital for handling a long season.
Looking at the broader squad, this signing is part of a structured approach to building a competitive group. Fans can track the full roster and how it shapes up on our squad page. The addition addresses a specific need without blocking the pathway for younger keepers in the system.
His loan spell at Swindon Town proved to be a formative period. Benda made his debut for the club in an EFL Trophy defeat to Plymouth Argyle but quickly impressed in league action. He kept nine clean sheets in 24 appearances, a key contribution to Swindon's League Two triumph under Richie Wellens. His form there even sparked reported interest from Premier League sides like Liverpool and Aston Villa at the time, though a move did not materialize.
That season provided the platform for his subsequent Championship opportunities and ultimately his move to Fulham. It demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure and be part of a successful team, attributes Forest will hope he brings to the training ground and any matchday involvement.
This low-risk signing strengthens Forest's options in goal. With a one-year deal, it provides experienced cover while allowing the club flexibility for future planning. A reliable second-choice goalkeeper is essential for any Premier League team aiming for stability, especially during a busy fixture schedule.
Forest's upcoming challenges are clear from the fixtures list, which includes demanding matches across all competitions. Having a proven professional like Benda ready to step in if called upon removes a potential area of concern. His knowledge of English football, gained from spells with Swansea, Fulham, Millwall, and Swindon, means he should adapt quickly to his new surroundings at the City Ground.
