Bielefeld. Stefan Ortega Moreno has found a new employer. The former Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper is moving from Manchester City to Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League. After a successful medical check, the 33-year-old was introduced to his new club on Sunday.
Ortega Moreno moved from then first division relegated Bielefeld to top English club City in 2022. Among other things, he won the Champions League with the “Skyblues”. Star coach Pep Guardiola initially enabled him to make a number of appearances across all competitions, even though the German was only number two behind the Brazilian Ederson.
Also read: Ex-Arminia goalkeeper Ortega speaks in Bielefeld about Klos, Guardiola and more
Specifically, the goalkeeper played 56 competitive games for the “Cityzens”, including seven in the Champions League. He became a Champions League winner (2023), a two-time English champion (’23 and ’24), a UEFA Super Cup winner (’24), a Club World Cup winner (’24), an English Cup winner (’23) and an English Super Cup winner (’25).
Ortega Moreno attracts appearances in the Europa League
Recently, however, Ortega Moreno hardly played a role in Manchester; he usually didn’t even make it into the matchday squad. That’s why he increasingly looked for a new club. There was speculation, among other things, about a move to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. But now the 33-year-old has decided on Nottingham Forest.
Unforgettable: In his last appearance on the Alm so far, Stefan Ortega gives an interview to stadium announcer Sebastian Wiese in the ongoing farewell game for Fabian Klos. | © Sarah Jonek
The “Tricky Trees” are fourth from bottom in England’s top league and are threatened with relegation. What could appeal to Ortega Moreno, among other things, is the prospect of international assignments. Nottingham will face Fenerbahce Istanbul in the Europa League playoffs in February.
In the two duels, Ortega could face his old colleague Ederson. Last summer, under their coach Guardiola, ManCity not only signed James Trafford from Burnley FC, but also, at the last minute, the Italian national goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Champions League winners Paris-Saint-Germain. Ederson joined Fenerbahce, while Ortega stayed with the “Cityzens” as number three.
Unfulfilled dream of playing for the national team
Without being number one in his club, Ortega Moreno’s chances of gaining a foothold in the German national team also dwindled. The former Arminia goalkeeper was appointed by national coach Julian Nagelsmann as the third goalkeeper in the squad for the two Nations League quarter-finals against Italy on March 20, 2025 in Milan (2:1) and on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund (3:3). After the nominations for the games against Bosnia (7:0) and Hungary (1:1) in November 2024, it was Ortega Moreno’s second and last consideration for the DFB’s A squad.
The keeper’s contract in Manchester, who has not yet played for City this season, would have expired in the summer. The contract with Forest is initially valid until the end of the season. Nottingham sporting director Edu Gaspar said: “Stefan comes to us with great experience and a winning mentality, having been part of such a successful team over the last few seasons. He will invigorate the competition in our goalkeeping group and help the team both on and off the pitch.”
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