Benda seals Premier move: German goalkeeper joins Nottingham Forest

Real Sociedad miss out on one of their main goalkeeping targets. Steven Benda has signed for Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal with an optional extra year, according to Mundo Deportivo. The German keeper, who became available after his contract with Fulham expired, takes the leap to the Premier League with a project with high ambitions, closing the door on a possible move to Anoeta.

The alternative that didn't materialize

Benda was in the sights of Real Sociedad's technical team as a firm option to strengthen the goalkeeper position under Pellegrino Matarazzo's direction. The profile fitted perfectly: a German-schooled keeper, assured in the air and with good passing ability to start play from the back. His arrival was one of the alternatives lined up in case Álex Remiro departed, a move that ultimately didn't happen due to the Basque keeper's continuity as the number one.

The domino effect that closes the door

The lack of movement in the Donostia goalkeeper position blocked any cascading operations. With Remiro staying put, Real couldn't execute either Benda's deal or that of Stefan Ortega, another familiar name on their agenda. The irony is completed by a European twist: Ortega has recently left Nottingham Forest to join Olympiacos, creating the vacancy now filled by Benda at the English club. Thus, the txuri urdin goal will continue to be protected by Remiro for the season opener.