Pierre saga over

Forest will pay a further amount to the £380,000 he received last December which ironically included a loyalty bonus even though the Dutchman went on strike following the Reds' promotion to the Premiership in 1998.

Forest director John Pelling was relieved the whole dispute is finally over.

He said: "'We have settled with Pierre at a considerable discount to the amount that he originally claimed,

''We have never denied that money was due to Pierre. It was just a matter of how much and we have made provision for this expense in our accounts.

''Both sides have compromised to as amicable a settlement as can be achieved after a five-year long dispute."

Van Hooijdonk eventually transferred to Vitesse Arnhem for around £3m but is still Forest's record signing following his £4.5m switch from Glasgow Celtic.