Nottingham Forest sign Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande in £34.3m deal
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of 22-year-old Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting on a four-year deal worth £34.3m.
The Premier League side finally secured the highly-rated centre-back following weeks of protracted negotiations with the Portuguese champions.
He arrives at the City Ground after a standout spell in Lisbon, adding vital defensive reinforcements ahead of the new campaign.
Committing such a significant fixed fee of €40m to the transfer represents a major statement of intent from the East Midlands outfit.
Glasner gets his man
Forest head coach Oliver Glasner was the primary driving force behind this ambitious acquisition.
The Austrian tactician had previously attempted to lure the Ivorian international to England during his tenure at Crystal Palace.
His long-standing persistence has now paid dividends as the club looks to solidify a backline preparing for another demanding season.
A premier defensive prospect
The 22-year-old brings a formidable blend of physical dominance and ball-playing ability to his new employers.
These defensive traits are considered highly valuable for adapting to the rigorous and fast-paced demands of the English top flight.
Having penned terms until the summer of 2030, the towering defender will now immediately integrate with his new team-mates.