Nottingham Forest sign Côte d’Ivoire defender Ousmane Diomande
Nottingham Forest have signed 22-year-old Côte d’Ivoire centre-back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting on a four-year contract, with the transfer reported at about £34 million.
In short
- Nottingham Forest have signed 22-year-old Côte d’Ivoire centre-back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting on a four-year contract, with the transfer reported at about £34 million.
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Côte d’Ivoire defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, adding an experienced young centre-back ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 22-year-old has agreed a four-year contract. Forest also hold an option to extend the deal by a further year, according to reporting on the completed transfer. The fee was not officially disclosed, but Sky Sports and The Guardian reported it at roughly £34 million.
Diomande joins after making 132 appearances for Sporting in all competitions following his move to the Portuguese club in January 2023. He was part of title-winning teams in Portugal and featured in Sporting’s Champions League campaign last season, including both legs of the quarter-final against Arsenal.
Forest chief football officer George Syrianos said the defender’s experience in successful domestic campaigns and the latter stages of the Champions League should help him adapt to his new club.
Diomande began his professional career in Denmark with FC Midtjylland. At international level, he represented Côte d’Ivoire at the 2026 World Cup and played the full match in the group-stage victory over Curaçao.
The signing strengthens Nottingham Forest’s defensive options on a long-term deal while giving Diomande his first opportunity in the Premier League.
