“I became a pawn” – Player reveals how Nottingham Forest move was forced on him, missed out on big club

Back in 2016, Pajtim Kasami was at Olympiakos in Greece, having signed there two years prior from Fulham, and was sent to Nottingham Forest.

It was a loan, and he spent just the one season at City Ground, but it cost him a move to a bigger club, all because of his agent at the time, Mino Raiola.

The midfielder, now at Sampdoria, revealed what happened the summer he moved to Nottingham Forest in an interview 20min.ch.

Speaking to the Swiss outlet, the Switzerland international was discussing the relationship he had with the late agent, describing him as ‘the biggest influence’ on his career.

Revealing how Raiola gave ‘everything for his players’, he also explained that, over time, their relationship became ‘very damaged’.

The reason for that was his move to City Ground: “In the summer of 2016, I was in talks with AC Milan, but Mino arranged a move to Nottingham Forest. The owner was a friend of his and I became a pawn.”

Kasami returned from Nottingham Forest to Olympiakos in 2017, but swiftly moved onto FC Sion in Switzerland on a free transfer a couple of months later.

During his time with the then Championship side, the midfielder made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting another two.