ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 10: Memphis Depay (R) of Netherlands celebrates scoring his teams third goal of the game with Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Netherlands and Northern Ireland on October 10, 2019 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images,)
Forbes has signed a two-year deal at Tannadice and wants his move to Scotland to reignite his international career.
The defender made his Northern Ireland debut under Michael O’Neill back in 2024 and is determined not to let that remain a solitary cap.
Forbes admitted: “I really wasn’t expecting it (the first cap), to be fair. It was a long time ago now so as good as it was, I want to get back in there again.”
Manager Jim Goodwin played a significant role in convincing Forbes that Dundee United was the right destination for the next stage of his career.
Forbes acknowledged that several clubs were in contention, including sides in England and Holland, before conversations with Goodwin settled the matter.
“Speaking to Jim, I got a really good feeling and that made my mind up to come here,” Forbes said, highlighting how important it was to feel genuinely valued by a manager.
He added that Goodwin had reassured him that playing in the SPFL would provide a clear pathway back into the Northern Ireland senior squad.
“If I play well for Dundee United then it will help me get back into the senior team for Northern Ireland,” Forbes said, describing the international goal as a major personal motivation.
Despite his relative youth, Forbes brings leadership experience, having captained West Ham’s under-21 side as well as the Northern Ireland under-21 team.
“I was honoured to be put in that situation and I think I suit those leadership roles well,” he confirmed, noting that captaining sides accelerates personal development considerably.
Forbes arrives at Tannadice with a solid foundation of loan experience from his time at Bristol Rovers, Colchester United, and Northampton during the previous season.
He was candid about the mixed nature of those spells, acknowledging that difficult loan experiences can be just as formative as successful ones.
“When you are on loan you learn hard lessons fast,” Forbes stated, adding that even his less successful loans taught him a great deal about professional football.
His time at Northampton gave him meaningful playing exposure, while earlier spells shaped his mentality and physical readiness for senior competition.
“It has definitely sculpted me into the player I am now, but I have to keep pushing forward now because you always have to make yourself better,” he said.
Forbes acknowledged that walking into a new dressing room can be daunting, but repeated experience of that situation has made him more adaptable and confident.
Dundee United has developed a strong recent track record of nurturing talent from English football, with Will Ferry one prominent example currently attracting a seven-figure bid from a Czech Republic club.
Forbes is eager to add to that legacy and ensure the club’s faith in bringing him to Scotland is fully rewarded before the new season kicks off.
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