Nottingham Forest have secured the services of Ivory Coast centre‑back Ousmane Diomande, completing a four‑year contract after a protracted negotiation period. The club agreed to a fixed transfer fee of roughly £34.3 million (about €40 million) to bring the 22‑year‑old defender from Sporting CP. The interest in Diomande was largely driven by head coach Oliver Glasner, who first identified the player while attempting to sign him during his previous spell at Crystal Palace.
After missing out on that move, Glasner continued to monitor Diomande’s development at Sporting, ultimately deciding that the young defender would be an ideal fit for Forest’s defensive line. During his four seasons with Sporting, Diomande amassed 132 appearances across all competitions, contributing seven goals—a respectable tally for a centre‑back. He played a pivotal role in Sporting’s domestic success, helping the club capture the Primeira Liga title on two occasions.
In the 2024‑25 campaign, he was instrumental in the team’s historic double, winning both the league and the Portuguese Cup, and also helped Sporting reach the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level of European football. On the international stage, Diomande has become a regular fixture for the Ivory Coast national team.
He has earned 15 caps and was part of the squad that lifted the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, ending an eight‑year drought for his country. He also featured in the World Cup earlier this summer, gaining valuable experience on football’s biggest stage.
Upon announcing his move to 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 and I am looking forward to meeting the players and head coach. I will give my best and all I can to help the team.
I cannot wait to meet the supporters at the City Ground and together we can have a good season." Chief Football Officer George Syrianos echoed the sentiment, highlighting the strategic fit of the signing: "We have been very clear on the profile of player we want to add to the squad, so we are excited to welcome Ousmane to the club. 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 here at Forest.
Ousmane is a powerful, commanding defender, and arrives here with a winning mentality. He shares the same ambition for success we have, and we are excited to see the impact he can have in a Forest shirt." Diomande’s arrival is expected to bolster Forest’s back line, offering both physical presence and composure on the ball.
His experience in high‑pressure environments—whether battling for league titles in Portugal or representing his nation in continental tournaments—should provide a steadying influence for a Forest side looking to improve its defensive record and compete for higher league positions. Beyond the headline signing, the transfer bulletin included a series of other moves involving various clubs across Europe and the UK, many of which were undisclosed or free transfers. Notable entries include Boyd Fraser moving from Hearts for an undisclosed fee, Mason Ayre departing Glentoran, and Xaver Schlager leaving RB Leipzig on a free.
Additionally, several players were listed as released, such as Willy Boly, Stefan Ortega, Shae Cahill, and Esapa Osong, indicating a broader reshuffling of squads during the transfer window. The news of Diomande’s transfer was accompanied by promotional messaging from Sky Sports, encouraging fans to follow the Transfer Centre live via the Sky Sports app, with options for both Sky subscribers and non‑subscribers to access the coverage.
Overall, the acquisition of Ousmane Diomande signals Nottingham Forest’s ambition to strengthen their defensive core with a player who has already demonstrated success at both club and international levels. The club’s leadership believes his blend of youth, experience, and winning mentality will help drive the team forward in the upcoming season, while also providing a solid platform for further development under Glasner’s guidance.