Rising Star Judas Prest Impresses with Breakthrough Performance in Championship Debut
Judas Prest, the 19-year-old sensation from Nottingham Forest’s academy, delivered a standout performance in his Championship debut against Bristol City on Saturday. The young midfielder, who had been touted as one of the club’s brightest prospects, lived up to the hype with an impressive display of skill, composure, and tactical awareness, despite Forest’s narrow 2-1 defeat.
Stepping into the starting lineup following injuries to senior players, Prest demonstrated maturity beyond his years. Operating as a central playmaker, he completed 87% of his passes, created three key chances, and came close to scoring with a curling effort that narrowly missed the top corner. His defensive contributions were equally noteworthy, with four successful tackles and two interceptions, proving his ability to impact both ends of the pitch.
Prest’s performance earned praise from Forest manager Steve Cooper, who hailed the youngster’s seamless transition to senior football. “Judas has been exceptional in training, and today he showed why we believe so much in his potential. It’s not easy for someone his age to step up in such a competitive league, but he handled it with remarkable poise,” Cooper remarked post-match.
Fans at the City Ground echoed Cooper’s sentiments, with many taking to social media to express their excitement about Prest’s future. “This kid is special. He’s got the vision and confidence to make things happen,” tweeted one supporter.
Prest, who signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest in July, has long been regarded as a future star, having captained the U21 side and represented England at the U19 level. With the January transfer window looming, speculation is already mounting about interest from Premier League clubs. However, Prest remains focused on helping Forest push for promotion, telling reporters, “This is just the start. I want to keep improving and repay the faith the club has shown in me.”