Let go by Nottingham Forest, Gil Dias lives up to his valuation with Europa League screamer

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In the summer, Nottingham Forest made an exciting move to bring Portuguese talent Gil Dias to the club. The under-21 international arrived on loan from Monaco. As reported by The Telegraph, that loan deal had an option to become permanent in the summer. He was valued at £17.5 million, said the same report, but there was no telling if that was the arranged fee.

Based on his form at the City Ground, such an amount would have been grossly inflated.

Dias struggled at Forest and failed to find a goal or assist in his 21 Championship appearances. With that in mind, Martin O’Neill was happy to let him go in January. Dias headed to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ other team, Olympiakos.

It would be fair to say he seems to be enjoying the Greek life a little more.

Following on from scoring in the Greek Cup just over a week ago, he netted again in Europa League action last night.

Dias scored an absolute screamer as the Greek side drew with Dynamo Kiev in their round of 32 clash in Piraeus last night.

He picked up a poor clearance on the chest and from 30-yards out smashed a half-volley swinging by the despairing Kiev keeper.

Nottingham Forest fans are probably wondering where that sort of inspiration was in the East Midlands.

Perhaps it’s the climate, the management or just a change of scenery, but his goal last night certainly looked like that of a £17.5 million player.