Transfers
MERCATO
OFFICIEL
Midfielder Eric da Silva Moreira Joins Excelsior on Loan from Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest's 20-year-old midfielder Eric da Silva Moreira has moved to Dutch side Excelsior on loan until the end of the season, adding depth to the Eredivisie club's midfield options.
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the departure of 20-year-old midfielder Eric da Silva Moreira on loan to Dutch Eredivisie side Excelsior, with the deal officially registered on 25 August 2026.
The loan move gives Moreira, who wears the number 17 jersey, the chance to add senior experience to his development pathway. He joins an Excelsior side based in Rotterdam, playing their home fixtures at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion.
At a glance
- Age: 20
- Position: Midfielder
- Deal: Loan from Nottingham Forest to Excelsior, 25 Aug 2026
Career context
Moreira's journey has been one of consistent movement between development environments. He began his senior career in Germany, signing with FC St. Pauli before Nottingham Forest secured his services in July 2024 for a reported fee of €1.5 million. His early years were marked by success at youth level, having won the UEFA U17 Championship and the FIFA U17 World Cup with Germany in 2023, alongside a 2. Bundesliga title with St. Pauli in the 2023/24 season.
His loan spell history includes a stint with Portuguese Primeira Liga outfit Rio Ave in the 2025/26 season, where he made three league appearances and logged 70 minutes of action. He also represented Ashington AFC during that loan period before returning to Nottingham Forest in January 2026. Throughout his time in England, he featured for both the first team setup and the U21 side, accumulating experience across the Premier League 2 Division One and the Premier League Cup.
How he fits at his new club
Excelsior, founded in 1902, compete in the Eredivisie and play their home games at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, a compact 4,500-capacity venue with an artificial turf surface. The club's midfield has been seeking additional dynamism and energy, particularly in the central areas where duels and pressing actions are paramount. Moreira's profile, with a duels rating of 61 and a defensive attribute score of 35, aligns well with the demands of Dutch top-flight football, where physicality and work rate are highly valued.
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
His ability to contribute across both defensive and creative responsibilities — with an attack attribute of 31 and a creation score of 15 — suggests he can adapt to various midfield roles. Given his experience in multiple leagues (Germany, England, Portugal) and his international background with Germany's youth setup, he brings a degree of tactical flexibility that should serve Excelsior well in their pursuit of a mid-table finish.
Recent numbers
During the 2025 season, Moreira made 25 appearances across all competitions, starting just three times from the beginning while coming on as a substitute in four others. He played a total of 326 minutes, scoring once and providing one assist. His season stats include:
- Apps: 25
- Minutes: 326
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 1
- Rating: 6.43
- Duels won: 7 of 15 (47% win rate)
- Tackles: 3
- Interceptions: 4
- Passes completed: 34
- Yellow cards: 3
His most substantial spell of senior action came during his loan at Rio Ave, where he played 70 minutes across three Primeira Liga matches, achieving a rating of 6.43. In that stint, he won 7 out of 15 duels, made 4 dribble attempts, and recorded 4 interceptions alongside 3 tackles.
Key takeaways
- Loan move for experience: At 20, Moreira is seeking regular playing time, and this loan to Excelsior offers a pathway to first-team football in the Eredivisie.
- Proven winner at youth level: His trophy cabinet includes the UEFA U17 Championship and FIFA U17 World Cup with Germany in 2023, along with a 2. Bundesliga title with St. Pauli.
- Versatile midfielder: His attribute scores show strength in duels (61) and defence (35), balanced with moderate attacking output (31), making him a well-rounded option for Excelsior.
- International background: Representing Germany at U19 and U20 level, he brings a strong work ethic and familiarity with high-intensity football environments.
| Metric | Rio Ave (loan) | Season total |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | 3 | 25 |
| Minutes | 70 | 326 |
| Duels won | 7/15 | 7/15 |
| Rating | 6.43 | 6.43 |
| Interceptions | 4 | 4 |
The move represents a calculated step in Moreira's development, offering him the opportunity to showcase his abilities in a competitive European league while contributing to Excelsior's campaign in the Dutch top flight.