Harry Arter moves to non-league Notts County

The Irish international moves on loan from city rivals Nottingham Forest

Harry Arter in action for Nottingham Forest during the Sky Bet Championship match at the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield. Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Republic of Ireland international midfielder Harry Arter insists he has no qualms about playing non-league football after he made a shock move to Notts County in a bid to revive his stalled career.

Arter, who has 19 caps for Ireland, has moved across the other side of the River Trent after leaving Nottingham Forest on-loan to join National League promotion chasers County.

Arter joined Forest from Bournemouth in 2020 and still has more then a year left on his contract at the City Ground.

But he has not played for Forest since the FA Cup tie against Cardiff City in January 2021 – one of only 14 appearances he has made for the club.

Arter was on-loan at Charlton Athletic earlier in the season.

"The level's not important for me any more, it's just about trying to find some enjoyment, which hasn't been there for a while with my situation at Forest," said 32-year-old Arter.

"There was no end goal at the end of the week, I knew I was never going to play at Forest, I don't think I was registered for the squad going forward this season.

"To accept that was tough and with a move abroad falling through quite suddenly towards the end of the (transfer) window, that didn't leave me many options.

"It's frustrating, obviously. I spoke to (Forest's head coach) Steve (Cooper) and he gave me his opinion and you have to accept it.

"It only feels like yesterday I was playing for Bournemouth in the Premier League and in the space of two or three years so much has changed."

County boss Ian Burchnall knows it is a coup to land Arter.

He said: "We'll obviously have to build Harry's minutes gradually initially but with so many games coming up in quick succession we're confident he'll be up to speed quickly and will be a big help to us."