Federico Macheda scored a vital goal against Aston Villa in the Premier League as a 17-year-old but could not maintain his form and subsequently completed a series of loans
Former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has completed a loan move to Nottingham Forest from Cardiff City, manager Dougie Freedman has confirmed.
The Italian forward made a stunning debut in the Premier League, scoring a fantastic match-winning goal in a vital 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in 2009.
Macheda was 17 when he burst onto the scene but was unable to maintain his form, and subsequently embarked on six loan spells, with Sampdoria, QPR, Stuttgart, Birmingham City and twice at Doncaster Rovers prior to moving permanently to Cardiff in 2014.
However, the forward has scored just eight goals for the Championship club in 33 appearances and has been allowed to move to Forest on a short-term deal until the end of the season, with Freedman keen to sign cover after an injury to fellow forward Nelson Oliveira.
"Macheda has signed… We are now waiting on international clearance. He is a player who is capable of scoring goals," Freedman told reporters ahead of his side's clash with Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
"We are waiting to find out how bad Oliveira’s injury. But they are different players."
At the age of 24, Macheda will hope the move offers a fresh chance at reigniting his career.
- Goal