Nottingham Forest brutally axe three players days after securing Premier League survival

Nottingham Forest have released three players days after securing Premier League survival.

Forest officially secured Premier League survival on the final day of the season with a 2-1 win against already relegated Burnley, meaning Luton Town were condemned to an immediate return to the Championship.

The Nottingham club were handed a four-point deduction in March for breaches of Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), and their appeal against the sanction was rejected earlier this month.

Now that the season has wrapped up, Forest have confirmed the release of three first team players.

Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wayne Hennessey will depart the club upon the expiration of their contracts this summer.

The trio joined the club during their first season back in the top flight in 2022-23, which saw them finish four points above the relegation zone.

Brazilian defender Felipe joined from Atletico Madrid in January 2023, and produced some fine performances to help his new side beat the drop.

In March the 35-year-old confirmed his intention to retire from professional football this summer, bringing an end to an impressive playing career which saw him make over 420 appearances for club and country.

Former West Ham star Kouyate made 36 appearances across his two Premier League campaigns with the club, following his arrival from Crystal Palace in 2022.

While Hennessey made just nine appearances for the club - none coming this season - he played an important role behind the scenes and within the goalkeeping department.

Forest also confirmed that Gio Reyna, Divock Origi, Nuno Tavares, Gonzalo Montiel and Rodrigo Ribeiro will also leave the City Ground upon the end of their loan spells.

Reyna was a surprise January arrival after falling out of favour at Borussia Dortmund, but the USMNT attacker failed to score registered just one assist in 10 games for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.