Nottingham Forest will get another look at Omar Richards this summer after the defender’s two-year loan spell at Rio Ave officially came to an end. Reports in Portugal suggest his future remains undecided.
The 28-year-old is expected to return to Forest for the start of pre-season preparations after spending the last two campaigns in Portugal. While a permanent stay at Rio Ave has not been ruled out, the decision now appears to be in Forest’s hands.
Portuguese newspapers Record and A Bola both report that Richards is due back at the City Ground. However, there remains a possibility of another move to Rio Ave. But that depends on assessments made over the coming weeks.
Forest to evaluate situation
According to Record, Rio Ave have not completely closed the door on keeping Richards. Any possibility of extending his stay would depend on the views of new manager Sotiris Silaidopoulos. More discussions with Forest’s technical staff will also be important.
For now, the expectation is that he will join Forest’s preparations for the 2026-27 campaign before a final decision is reached.
A Bola states that, unless circumstances change, the defender will be required to rejoin Nottingham Forest at the start of pre-season.
Injury problems disrupted season
Fair to say Omar Richards’ second campaign at Rio Ave was far more difficult than his first.
After featuring 31 times during the 2024-25 season, the left-back managed just 14 appearances in 2025-26. Portuguese reports explain that physical problems repeatedly disrupted his progress.
A ligament injury in his right knee kept him out for around three months. That prevented him from establishing any real continuity in the side. By the end of the campaign he had also lost his place in the starting XI, with Nelson Abbey preferred.
That leaves Richards returning to Nottingham Forest with questions still to answer about his long-term future.
For now, he will head back to England and await Forest’s verdict. And in the meanwhile, Rio Ave remain interested enough to keep the possibility of another stay alive… If circumstances fall into place, of course.
