Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande from Sporting in a deal reportedly worth £34m.
The 22-year-old centre-back has signed a four-year contract at Forest, with the club holding an option to extend the deal for a further year.
Diomande expressed his excitement after completing the move, describing Forest as a historic club and saying he is determined to make an immediate impact.
"I am very happy to be here. It is a historic club, and it motivates me to join such a club," Diomande said.
"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 Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner favours a 3-5-2 formation, with Diomande expected to compete for a place in a three-man defence alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.
The Ivory Coast international already has significant experience at both club and international level. He has earned 15 caps for his country and was part of the Ivory Coast squad at the 2026 World Cup, making one appearance during 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 and quickly established himself as an important member of the Portuguese side.
The central defender made 132 first-team appearances for Sporting and helped the Lisbon club secure back-to-back Portuguese league titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
He was also part of the Sporting team that reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season, where they were narrowly eliminated by Arsenal.
Glasner, who was appointed Nottingham Forest manager earlier this summer, has been a long-time admirer of Diomande. The Austrian previously attempted to sign the defender during his time in charge of Crystal Palace.
Forest chief football officer George Syrianos believes Diomande's experience and winning mentality will make him a valuable addition to the squad.
"He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age," Syrianos said.
"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 becomes another major addition to Glasner's Forest squad following the arrival of Austria midfielder Xaver Schlager on a free transfer in July.
With experience of winning domestic titles, competing deep into the Champions League and representing Ivory Coast on the international stage, Diomande arrives at the City Ground as a significant reinforcement to Nottingham Forest's defence.
