Nottingham Forest confirm Jesse Lingard signing on one-year contract

FILE - Everton's Allan, left, challenges for the ball with West Ham's Jesse Lingard during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Everton at London stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 9, 2021. AP

Nottingham Forest pulled off its biggest signing since clinching a return to the Premier League by bringing in Jesse Lingard on a free transfer.

The England midfielder was available after ending his 22-year association with Manchester United during the offseason.

Lingard’s move to Forest was announced late Thursday. He is the 11th signing made by the promoted club as it prepares for a first season in the Premier League since 1999.

The length of Lingard’s deal was not disclosed.

The 29-year-old Lingard spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at West Ham, scoring nine goals in 16 starts in the league, and he was linked with a permanent move to the London club.

Another player moving on a free transfer was defender Ben Mee, who joined Brentford following the expiration of his contract at Burnley.

Mee spent 11 years at Burnley, which was relegated from the Premier League in May, and built a strong partnership at center back alongside James Tarkowski. Tarkowski also has left Burnley this offseason, joining Everton.