Nottingham Forest has officially signed Ousmane Diomande, the talented Ivory Coast defender, from Sporting on a four-year deal. The club has agreed to pay a fixed fee of approximately £34.3m (€40m) after weeks of negotiations.

Head coach Oliver Glasner played a pivotal role in bringing Diomande to the club, having previously attempted to sign him during his tenure at Crystal Palace.

Diomande's Impressive Background

• Diomande has spent the last four seasons at Sporting, where he made 132 appearances, scored seven goals, and won the Primeira Liga twice.
• He contributed significantly to Sporting's success in reaching the Champions League knockout stages and clinching a domestic double in the 2024/25 season.
• As a member of the Ivory Coast national team, he helped secure the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title, marking the country's first win in eight years. Diomande has earned 15 caps and made an appearance at this summer's World Cup.

Upon joining Nottingham Forest, Diomande expressed his excitement:

I am very happy to be here. It is a historic club, and it motivates me to join such a club. I believe we can achieve very good things this season.

Chief football officer George Syrianos remarked on Diomande's experience:

He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age. Ousmane is a powerful, commanding defender, and arrives here with a winning mentality.

Nottingham Forest Transfer Summary

In:

• Ousmane Diomande - Nottingham Forest, £34.3m
• Boyd Fraser - Hearts, undisclosed
• Mason Ayre - Glentoran, undisclosed
• Blaine McClure - Rangers, undisclosed
• Xaver Schlager - RB Leipzig, free
• Grady McDonnell - Club Brugge, free
• Kasen Brown - Man City, free

Out:

• Elliot Anderson - Man City, £116m
• David Carmo - Olympiacos, undisclosed
• Joe Gardner - Falkirk, undisclosed
• Cormac Daly - Hearts, free
• Angus Gunn - San Jose Earthquakes, free
• Ben Hammong - Boston United, free
• Justin Hanks - Solihull Moors, free
• Danny Anisjko - Chesterfield, free
• Jota Silva - Olympiacos, loan
• Willy Boly - released
• Stefan Ortega - released
• Shae Cahill - released
• Esapa Osong - released