Nottingham Forest have completed the acquisition of Ivory Coast centre‑back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP, sealing a four‑year contract and a transfer fee reported to be roughly £34.3 million (about €40 million). After a protracted period of negotiations, the club confirmed the deal, which sees the 22‑year‑old defender make the move to the City Ground. The interest in Diomande was largely driven by Forest head coach Oliver Glasner, who first identified the player during a previous attempt to sign him while Glasner was still at Crystal Palace. Glasner praised Diomande’s blend of physical presence, technical ability and winning experience, qualities he believes will strengthen Forest’s back line and raise the team’s overall competitiveness.
During his four‑year spell at Sporting, Diomande amassed 132 appearances across all competitions and found the net seven times – an impressive tally for a defender. He played a pivotal role in Sporting’s recent domestic dominance, helping the Portuguese side capture back‑to‑back Primeira Liga titles and secure a domestic double in the 2024/25 season. Moreover, Diomande was instrumental in Sporting’s progress to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, gaining valuable experience against Europe’s elite clubs.
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 trophy drought for his country.
He also featured in the 2026 World Cup, making an appearance in the tournament’s summer edition, further underscoring his growing reputation on the global stage. Upon announcing his move, Diomande expressed his enthusiasm for joining a club with such a storied history.
"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," he said. He added, "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." Forest’s chief football officer, George Syrianos, echoed the optimism surrounding 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," Syrianos explained. He continued, "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 comes at a time when Forest are looking to reinforce their defensive options and add depth to a squad that has shown promise but still seeks consistency in the Premier League.
His blend of youth and experience, combined with a proven track record in both domestic and European competition, is expected to provide a solid foundation for the club’s aspirations. Beyond the headline signing, the announcement also listed a series of other transfer movements involving clubs across the UK and Europe, ranging from undisclosed fees to free transfers and loan deals. Notable mentions include Boyd Fraser moving from Hearts, Mason Ayre departing Glentoran, and Xaver Schlager joining RB Leipzig on a free transfer. Additionally, several players were released from their contracts, such as Willy Boly, Stefan Ortega, Shae Cahill, and Esapa Osong, reflecting the fluid nature of the transfer market during this period.
Overall, Ousmane Diomande’s transfer to Nottingham Forest represents a significant investment by the club in a defender who has already demonstrated the ability to perform at a high level both domestically and internationally. With his arrival, Forest fans can anticipate a stronger defensive unit, and the club’s leadership hopes that his winning mentality will help drive the team toward a successful season ahead.