Nottingham Forest sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34m
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast defender joins on a four-year contract as Oliver Glasner's first major signing.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 17 items across 3 sources · 6h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Ousmane Diomande from Portuguese club Sporting CP for a reported £34m on a four-year deal with an option for a further year. The 22-year-old central defender, who helped Ivory Coast reach the 2026 World Cup knockout stage, has 132 appearances for Sporting and was part of their consecutive Portuguese league title wins. Manager Oliver Glasner, who previously tried to sign Diomande at Crystal Palace, plans to deploy him in a back three alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.
- Nottingham Forest complete the £34m signing of Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP on a four-year contract.
- The 22-year-old brings 132 appearances for Sporting, including two consecutive Portuguese league titles and Champions League quarter-final experience.
- Manager Oliver Glasner, who previously pursued Diomande at Crystal Palace, plans to deploy him in a back three with Milenkovic and Murillo in his preferred 3-5-2 formation.
- Diomande recently represented Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, helping the team reach the knockout stage for the first time.
How it unfolded
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Nottingham Forest announce the signing of Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP for a reported £34m on a four-year contract with an option for a further year.
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Reaction Diomande expresses happiness at move
The defender releases a statement emphasizing his enthusiasm for joining a historic club and his belief in achieving great things this season.
“I am very happy to be here. It is a historic club, and it motivates me to join such a club.”
Ousmane Diomande · Press ↗ -
Analysis Club praises defender's experience
Forest's chief football officer George Syrianos highlights Diomande's experience in title-winning teams and Champions League football, describing him as a powerful, commanding defender.
“He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age. Playing a crucial role in title-winning teams and going into the latter stages of the Champions League puts him in a great position to integrate well at Forest.”
George Syrianos · Press ↗
What people are saying verbatim
“I am very happy to be here. It is a historic club, and it motivates me to join such a club.”
Ousmane Diomande, Newly signed defender · BBC Sport ↗
“I believe we can achieve very good things this season and I am looking forward to meeting the players and head coach. I will give my best.”
Ousmane Diomande, Newly signed defender · BBC Sport ↗
“He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age. Playing a crucial role in title-winning teams and going into the latter stages of the Champions League puts him in a great position to integrate well at Forest.”
George Syrianos, Forest chief football officer · BBC Sport ↗
“Ousmane is a powerful, commanding defender, and arrives with a winning mentality.”
George Syrianos, Forest chief football officer · BBC Sport ↗