Former Newcastle United & Liverpool star has contract terminated in bizarre U-turn

Nottingham Forest terminated Jonjo Shelvey's contract - just eight months after he joined from Newcastle United.

The former Liverpool midfielder swapped St James' Park for the City Ground 12 months ago but it proved to be an ill-fated spell after Shelvey made just eight appearances before falling out with then manager Steve Cooper.

Forest announced in September that Shelvey had joined Turkish side Caykur Rizespor on a season-long loan. However, according to The Guardian, the move was in fact permanent.

It's claimed Forest realised they would be unable to conclude the deal as it would have meant exceeding the number of players they are permitted to have out on loan.

FIFA rules state a club can loan out a maximum of seven players at any one time, so the Reds opted to cancel Shelvey's contract, which still had two years to run.

The 31-year-old has made 16 appearances for Caykur Rizespor with his only goal so far coming from the halfway line in a 1-0 win against Istanbulspor in November.

Despite Shelvey's struggles at Forest, he departed Newcastle on very good terms after seven years at the club.

“I heard of Forest’s interest and it was something that caught my eye," Shelvey explained. "I went in to see the manager at Newcastle and asked if they’d let me go. I got told no at first!

“I think he wanted to keep me around the training ground and stuff like that but I needed a fresh start and a new challenge. Luckily I’ve found a club in Nottingham Forest that was willing to come in and take me.

“It’s a club on the up and really excites me. I knew a few of the players and coaching staff already. It was nice that I knew people here already and once I’d spoken to them, it was a no-brainer.”