Nottingham Forest announce Joe Gardner's contract extension and loan move to Lincoln City

Premier League club Nottingham Forest have confirmed that Joe Gardner has renewed his contract with the club and will be loaned to League One club Lincoln City until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old Gardner joined Nottingham Forest's youth academy in 2016 at the age of 10 and has now signed a new contract with the club, extending it until the summer of 2027 with an option for an additional year.

In the FA Cup match on February 7 last year, Gardner played for Nottingham Forest's first team for the first time and successfully completed his first team debut. Since then, Gardner has been on the bench for many Premier League games, but has not appeared on the field.

Now Gardner will embark on the first loan journey of his career, joining Lincoln City, which is fighting for promotion in League One. This will give Gardner more opportunities to play, and he hopes he can gain more experience during this 6-month loan period.

Regarding the contract extension and loan, Gardner said: "I am very happy to renew my contract with the club. I have grown up here since I was a child. This new contract means a lot to me and allows me to continue my journey. I want to thank all the coaches who have helped me over the years, and now I am looking forward to the future."

“This loan move is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to playing regular senior football at Lincoln City. I want to challenge myself, keep learning and make an impact on the pitch.”