Brandon Aguilera decision taken as plan set out for Nottingham Forest youngster dubbed ‘a baller’

Nottingham Forest plan to monitor youngster Brandon Aguilera at first-hand for the next few months, rather than arrange another loan move.

The 20-year-old is viewed as a bright prospect, both at the City Ground and in his Costa Rican homeland. He put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Reds last summer after he joined from Alajuelense, but immediately headed out on loan to Guanacasteca and then Estoril.

Aguilera then linked up with Steve Cooper’s side when they reported back for duty ahead of the current campaign, and he was given a chance to catch the head coach’s eye in pre-season. It was an opportunity he took, putting in some confident displays.

The midfielder has since featured for Forest’s B team, impressing in Monday night’s 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough as he set up Jamie McDonnell and went close to getting on the scoresheet himself. Cooper has been pleased with his progress and is keen to continue working with Aguilera initially, with his situation to be reassessed in January.

“We’re really happy with Brandon,” said Cooper. “He will stay with us, for sure – certainly until January.

“He’s one we want in our programme, who we can develop. Who knows where he will play his football, whether it’s with the Under-21s or not.

“It’s important young players play. It’s important they get starts and minutes and all the things matches give you.

“But we’ve been really impressed with him, to be honest – his level and his attitude. He’s not from round the corner, is he?! He’s come over here, and for him to settle in like he has, he has a maturity about him.

“He’s a young player who we are enjoying putting a programme in place for. But that will be with us for the medium-term until January, and then we will assess it again then.”

Aguilera certainly has promise. He became Costa Rica’s second-youngest player to feature at a World Cup when he was involved in last year’s tournament in Qatar. And he earned praise from fellow countryman Bryan Ruiz, who tipped him as one for the future just as his own international career came to an end, pointing to the youngster’s “strong head” and “professional” attitude.

Forest players have picked up on his talent, too. Moussa Niakhate quipped Aguilera was “a baller” after he demonstrated some fancy footwork in one particular training session during the pre-season camp in Spain.

Aguilera still faces a challenge to secure game time in the Premier League, though. He might be training with the senior squad, but minutes are more likely to continue to come with the B team – at least for the time being. Nevertheless, Cooper is not afraid to turn to young players when he believes they deserve an opportunity.