Newcastle United star's heartfelt gesture after being spotted in Nottingham Forest dressing room
Anthony Elanga was an unused substitute in Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw at his former club, Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga received a warm welcome on his return to Nottingham Forest.
Elanga was back at the City Ground for the first time following his £55million move to Newcastle last summer and was loudly applauded by the home fans as he emerged from the players’ tunnel to take his place on the bench in the build-up to kick-off.
The 24-year-old spent two seasons at Forest after joining from Manchester United in the summer of 2023, scoring 11 goals and registering 21 assists in 82 appearances.
Anthony Elanga left on the bench versus Nottingham Forest
At Newcastle, however, Elanga has struggled to reach those heights. He notably scored a first-half brace in the Magpies’ 7-2 Champions League last-16 second leg defeat to Barcelona but aside from that has managed just one goal and one assist.
Therefore, it will have come as little surprise that Elanga was an unused substitute against his former club.
From an attacking perspective, Eddie Howe started with Joelinton and Jacob Murphy in the wide areas before calling on Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa from the bench.
Two of those combined for the Magpies’ opening goal as Ramsey assisted Barnes, however Elliot Anderson came back to his haunt United by scoring an 88th-minute equaliser.
The 1-1 draw all-but ended Newcastle’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe as they remain 13th in the Premier League table with only West Ham United and Fulham left to play.
Anthony Elanga visits Nottingham Forest dressing after full-time
The disappointment didn’t discourage Elanga from catching up with his old teammates as he visited the Forest home dressing room after full-time and handed over a signed Newcastle shirt to Ola Aina.
The shirt, signed “To my brother, I love you and I appreciate everything you have done for me. Much love, Ant” was the one Elanga in Barcelona in March.
Aina, who revealed Elanga’s gesture on Snapchat, said: “Champions League, two-zero, this is the one he wore in Barcelona as well. Two goals, I love it. Come on. My broski.”