Nottingham Forest secure Ousmane Diomande from Sporting in £34m deal

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, with the transfer reported to be worth £34 million. The 22-year-old defender has put pen to paper on a four-year agreement with the English club, which includes an option to extend the deal by a further year.

Diomande arrives in Nottingham having established himself as a regular for the Lisbon-based Portuguese side, where he made 132 first-team appearances. His move follows a successful international campaign with the Ivory Coast, where he earned 15 caps and featured in the 2026 World Cup.

The defender played a key role in the Ivory Coast squad that reached the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time. His performance on the international stage has drawn attention from top European clubs, culminating in this high-profile transfer to the Premier League.

Speaking on the completion of the move, Diomande expressed his satisfaction with joining the club. He described Nottingham Forest as a historic institution and stated that the opportunity motivated him to commit to the project.

"I am very happy to be here," Diomande said. "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. I will give my best."

The acquisition marks a significant investment for Nottingham Forest as they look to strengthen their defensive options. The player’s experience in both European club football and major international tournaments is expected to provide depth to the squad.

While the reported fee stands at £34 million, the exact final figure has not been officially confirmed by the clubs involved. The deal represents a substantial outlay for the English side as they prepare for the upcoming domestic and European campaigns.