Forest Signs Sporting’s Ivory Coast Defender Diomande

Nottingham Forest have signed Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande from Portuguese club Sporting in a deal worth a reported £34m., external
The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Forest, who have an option for a further 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.”
New Forest manager Oliver Glasner favours a 3-5-2 formation and Diomande is likely to play alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo in a back three.
He has 15 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of his country’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, making one appearance in a group-stage win against Curacao.
Diomande started his career at Olympic Sport Abobo in his homeland and was at Danish club FC Midtjylland before joining Sporting in January 2023.
The central defender made 132 first-team appearances for the Lisbon club and helped Sporting win consecutive Portuguese league titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
He was part of the side that reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season before being edged out by Arsenal.
Glasner, who took over as Forest manager earlier this summer, is a long-time admirer of Diomande and tried to sign him when he was in charge at Crystal Palace.
“He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age,” said Forest’s 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.