Wilson kickstarted Brazil strategy

Since Leo Bonatini became Nottingham Forest's first ever Brazilian to join the club in 2019, the Reds have remarkably signed 14 players from the football-famous country. In a competitive market where clubs aim to identify a bright new spark - Forest have targeted South America continuously since Bonatini's arrival. On BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, football commentator, scout and author Jon Cotterill, who is based in South America, gave an insight into why the Garibaldis target Brazilian players. "One of the things it probably started with was Ross Wilson," he explained. "I met him at Southampton. I think it was from him and his contacts in Brazil and in South America. A few of them have gone to Newcastle with him. It was around that time when things started to pick up South American wise." Former chief executive Wilson was at the club between 2023 and 2025, but he is now Newcastle United's sporting director. "It has always been the case that clubs have known about South Americans," added Cotterill. "In terms of visas, a long time ago, you had to fork out at least £10m to get a South American. Maybe he had to be an international player as well. If he wasn't, you would have to go through a tribunal for special talent." Forest currently have four Brazilian players as part of their Premier League squad; John Victor, Murillo, Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus. Glasner's side also have Brazilians Cuiabano and Morato on respective loans at Vasco da Gama and West Ham. "League Two clubs can now sign South Americans with ease," Cotterill added. "The market has changed. I think it is down to Wilson and that period when they started to look at the South American market." Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed. Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds [BBC]