Nottingham Forest Sign Ivory Coast Defender Diomande

Nottingham Forest have signed Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande from Portuguese club Sporting in a deal reportedly worth £34m.

The 22-year-old has agreed to a four-year contract with Forest, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by another year.

“I am very happy to be here. It is a historic club, and it motivates me to join such a club,” said Diomande.

“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.”

Forest’s new manager, Oliver Glasner, prefers a 3-5-2 formation, and Diomande is expected to play in a back three alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.

The defender has won 15 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of the country’s squad at the 2026 World Cup. He made one appearance in their group-stage victory over Curacao.

Diomande began his career with Olympic Sport Abobo in Ivory Coast before moving to Danish club FC Midtjylland. He joined Sporting in January 2023.

He made 132 first-team appearances for the Lisbon club and helped them win consecutive Portuguese league titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

He also played a key role as Sporting reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season before losing to Arsenal.

Glasner, who became Forest manager earlier this summer, has admired Diomande for some time and previously tried to sign him while in charge of Crystal Palace.

“He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age,” said Forest chief football officer George Syrianos.

“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.

“Ousmane is a powerful, commanding defender, and arrives with a winning mentality.”

Diomande’s arrival follows the signing of Austria midfielder Xaver Schlager on a free transfer in July.