Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of highly-rated Brazilian centre‑back Jair Cunha from Botafogo. The 20‑year‑old has penned a five‑year contract at the City Ground, officially binding him to Forest until the summer of 2030.
Standing at an imposing 6ft 6in (1.97 m), Cunha joins his compatriot Igor Jesus—who sealed his move just six days earlier—as the second Botafogo recruit in a sensational summer swoop for the club. Forest’s Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson, explained the club’s enthusiasm: “Jair is a young talent who has shown quality during his time in Brazil, and we are happy to have secured his signature. Jair has flourished in Brazil and now has new ambitions as he moves to the Premier League. We know he will be warmly welcomed into the group here in Nottingham”.
Cunha’s rapid rise has captured attention since his move from Santos to Botafogo in February. In just 12 league appearances and standout performances in continental competitions, he quickly emerged as a defensive powerhouse. Most notably, Cunha played every minute of Botafogo’s Club World Cup campaign in the United States, contributing a crucial headed goal against Seattle Sounders and delivering a composed defensive display in a clean sheet against Paris Saint‑Germain.
Opta statistics from the Analyst show that his aerial dominance is exceptional—winning 80.8 % of duels in Serie A, and engaging with remarkable composure on the ball, completing 90.9 % of passes in that PSG‑shutout performance. It’s precisely this blend of physicality and technical skill that attracted Forest, who are preparing for a packed schedule that includes Conference League commitments.
Brazilian press have been quick to praise Cunha’s temperament. After a standout display in one Club World Cup match, Brazilian outlet Globo awarded him a 6/10, highlighting his air dominance and goal while noting a couple of errant passes that nearly proved costly. The same assessments reflected optimism that under the guidance of boss Nuno Espírito Santo—who already trusts centre‑backs Murillo and Nikola Milenković—Cunha will develop into a long‑term solution at the heart of Forest’s defence.
Cunha’s move reportedly cost Forest in the region of £10 million—an investment considered exceptionally shrewd by transfer experts like Fabrizio Romano and local press, especially as part of a broader triple package alongside Jesus and left‑back Cuiabano.
Nottingham Forest’s rise last season, finishing seventh in the Premier League and earning a spot in Europe for the first time since 1996, underscored the need for fresh defensive dynamism. Cunha arrives in a restructured defence following the departures of Anthony Elanga and Andrew Omobamidele, and with questions emerging around Morgan Gibbs‑White’s future and potential exit to Tottenham Hotspur.