Striker Nuno Da Costa has claimed that the Championship did not suit his playing style, following his departure from Nottingham Forest earlier this summer.

Da Costa only moved to The City Ground from French side Strasbourg for a reported €2million in the January transfer window, but struggled to make an impact in the Midlands.

The forward failed to score a single goal in 13 appearances for the Championship club, and now has completed a season-long loan move to Belgian side Mouscron.

Speaking about his struggles with Forest following that move, Da Costa has suggested the fact he was employed as a winger more than a centre forward hindered him in England, as he told Belgian outlet DH: “In Ligue 1, we could put the game down. In the Championship, it’s a direct game with a lot of commitment.

“The confinement allowed me to adapt to this particular style by gaining muscle but it’s not what I like. I like to rush and not wait behind in a block.”

It now seems as though Da Costa is hoping that he will be able to rediscover his form as a centre forward during his time in Belgium, as he went on to add: “I want to get back to my number 9 feeling. In England I was playing on the sides but that’s not my job.

"Badibanga and Tabekou here are real wingers by training. They can give me some good balls.”

As things stand, there are still three years remaining on Da Costa's current contract with Forest, securing his future at The City Ground until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The Verdict

This is an interesting one.

Da Costa never really got going at all at Forest, and it does seem as though that was frustrating for him, which is perhaps not surprising given the opportunity the move could have presented him with.

As a result, this loan deal to Mouscron now feels lie it could be a big chance for him. If he is used as a centre forward, and is successful in that position, then he could have some scope to push to be used in that position when he returns to Forest next summer.

If however, he is unable to make an impact while doing that this season, it is hard to see him getting that chance at Forest next year either, at which point a permanent departure could emerge as the best option for all parties.