Harry Arter explains drop from £5m transfer to non-league football in 18 months

Harry Arter has completed a shock move to non-league side Notts County, saying he just wants to enjoy football again.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder was a Premier League regular during his long stay at Bournemouth.

He joined Nottingham Forest in September 2020 after the Championship side paid a transfer fee of nearly £5million.

But just 18 months on, Arter has effectively been frozen out at the City Ground.

He featured just 14 times in his first season, with his last appearance for the club coming in January 2021. He had a loan spell at Charlton earlier this season, playing just six times for the League One side.

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Now, he's back on the move and has made the short trip across the River Trent to County.

Despite dropping down three divisions, the 32-year-old admits he just wants to get back to focusing on football after a tough time of it at Forest.

He also revealed that a move abroad, believed to be a club in the United Arab Emirates, fell through earlier this year.

"The level's not important for me any more. It's just about trying to find some enjoyment, which hasn't been there for a while with my situation at Forest," Arter said to the BBC.

"There was no end goal at the end of the week, I knew I was never going to play at Forest. I don't think I was registered for the squad going forward this season.

"To accept that was tough and with a move abroad falling through quite suddenly towards the end of the (transfer) window, that didn't leave me many options.

"It's frustrating, obviously. I spoke to Steve (Cooper) and he gave me his opinion and you have to accept it.

"It only feels like yesterday I was playing for Bournemouth in the Premier League and in the space of two or three years so much has changed."

Arter has moved to the National League outfit on loan until the end of the season. He still has another year of his contract remaining at Forest.

Magpies' head coach Ian Burchnall said: "We're delighted that the opportunity to sign someone of Harry's pedigree has presented itself to us.

"This move was instigated by Harry himself, which demonstrates his character and determination to play competitive football, and we'd like to thank Forest for their cooperation in making the deal happen.

"We'll obviously have to build Harry's minutes gradually initially but with so many games coming up in quick succession we're confident he'll be up to speed quickly and will be a big help to us."

County, who are in their third season in non-league, are currently eighth in the National League table ahead of Saturday's trip to Dagenham and Redbridge.

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