Carl Jenkinson has signed for the Newcastle United Jets in Australia, following the expiry of his contract with Nottingham Forest.

The Jets announced this week that they’re signing former Gunner Carl Jenkinson on a two-year deal.

Jenkinson had spent the last six months on loan with Melbourne City in Australia, but he was technically still under contract with parent club Nottingham Forest at the time, after joining them from Arsenal in 2019 on a three-year deal.

That deal has now come to an end, leaving Jenkinson free to join any club to make him an offer. He’s set to return to Australia as a result, but with the Jets, not Melbourne City.

“I’m happy to be here and to sign for the Jets,” Jenkinson said. “I want to bring the best of myself to the team and try to get the best out of everyone else around me.

“Having met the lads I can already see it’s a great group and I’m excited to see how far we can go this season with a lot of hard work.

“I knew within five minutes of speaking with Arthur he was a manager I wanted to play for.

“We have a similar outlook on the way the game should be played and I know he has big ambitions for the club moving forwards.

“I’m excited to be a part of this team and I will give my all to achieve something special here.”

Jenkinson made 28 appearances for Melbourne City in 2022, helping them to finish top of the A-League. Unfortunately, they lost the Finals Series in the final against Western United, but it was still a very positive spell for the right-back.

Scoring three goals and playing over 2,000 minutes between January and May, the loan was arguably the busiest and most successful spell of Jenkinson’s entire career.

It was certainly the most he’s played in a campaign since his loan to West Ham in 2014/15.

Now 30, Jenkinson will hope he’s finally found a league and a level of fitness that will allow him to play regular football from start to finish this season. Good luck to him.