Hudson-Odoi has agreed a new contract just before Monday's deadline day. With his former contract expiring next summer, this is another major boost for Forest, who encounter European football for the first time in 30 years.
The 24-year-old winger joins a list of key players who have been retained at the club by putting pen to paper on another three years Trentside.
He grew into the game in the second half against Brentford with more involvement and impetus to go toe-to-toe with his defender.
Then, he opened his account when Forest and Crystal Palace shared the spoils at Selhurst Park in the second top flight game.
He rapidly got in-behind to receive Dan Ndoye's pass which was through an eye of a needle to split the Eagles' defence. Hudson-Odoi kept his composure to slot into the near post, drifting in from the right flank which demonstrated his versatility.
It all started in Chelsea's academy before he earned graduation into the first team setup, and he was eventually part of the squad who won the 2021 Champions League under current England boss Thomas Tuchel.
It was certainly a competitive environment at Stamford Bridge to secure a consistent place, while in 2023 the Tricky Trees were first to snap up Hudson-Odoi after a season-long loan at Bayer Leverkusen, where he still accumulated further experience in the Champions League.
Forest were bidding to improve on their 16th place Premier League finish and picked out Hudson-Odoi as a potential asset to invigorate that mission.
However, Forest only narrowly avoided the drop. Hudson-Odoi scored the second most goals with a tally of eight, which was only behind Chris Wood's 14 in 2023/24.
The winger's numbers lowered to just 5 goals and 3 assists in 36 appearances last term in all competitions as Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood were at the forefront of talismanically leading Forest to a 7th place finish.
Nonetheless, Hudson-Odoi offered transitional threat with similar traits to Elanga from the left wing and developed an assured partnership with Neco Williams, who also signed a new contract earlier this summer.
He has been no stranger to embracing the big occasion and almost raises his level when the supposed pressure increases.
At Anfield in September, he drifted inside from the left and precisely directed his effort into the corner. This single-handedly helped Forest snatch all three points in Liverpool's backyard for the first time in 55 years, denting their title hopes early on.
Meanwhile, when Manchester City came to the City Ground in a crunch tie between 3rd and 4th in March, Hudson-Odoi's goal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's champions. In the 83rd minute, from the right, he opted to go alone and caught Ederson off guard at his near post to send the Forest faithful into raptures.
His capabilities against top defenders and goalkeepers is unquestionable, but it is whether those sparks of goal contributions can translate into regularly menacing form.
Crucially, he has to fulfill the remit of reaching similar numbers posted last season from the outgoing Anthony Elanga, despite the new attacking arrivals consisting of Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee too.
He will still remain a vital part of Nuno's plans for the season so Forest can maintain the sort of threat Elanga displayed on the counter-attack and finishing attacks with intent. Another added reason would be to supplement the slightly different qualities Ndoye possesses based on the Switzerland international's opening performances.
Omari Hutchinson will pose a challenge to Hudson-Odoi's stable place, yet rotation is significant when games come thick and fast later in the season.
They just missed out on crossing paths at Chelsea, while Hutchinson defended the European Championships for England Under 21s which Hudson-Odoi also won.
The latter also came up against his new teammate Ndoye on international duty in their respective youth teams since they are both the same age.
Nottingham Forest's Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson, commented on the new deal: "As well as strengthening our squad, we have also been active in extending contracts of the core of the team that has put us in this exciting position as a key part of our strategy.
"We all love Callum and from the first second we met back in 2023 to discuss him joining the club it has been a pleasure to work with him. Everyone knows how important he has been on the pitch, but he also plays a big role off it. He is popular amongst all of our players and staff, and we’re delighted he has committed to the club signing this new deal. We are sure there’s more great moments to come from Callum."
