Nottingham Forest have officially finalized the transfer of Côte d'Ivoire international center-back Ousmane Diomande from Portuguese titans Sporting CP. The deal is reported to be worth approximately £34m, with the 22-year-old signing a four-year contract at the City Ground that includes an option for a further year. Diomande becomes Forest's second signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager in July, significantly bolstering the squad's defensive unit ahead of the new campaign. He has been handed the number two jersey, the same squad number he wears for his national team.
Diomande's rise to prominence has been meteoric. Having begun his development at Ivorian club Olympic Sport Abobo, he moved to Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in January 2020. A standout loan spell with Liga Portugal 2 side CD Mafra during the first half of the 2022/23 season caught the attention of Sporting CP, who cut the loan short to secure his signature in January 2023. Diomande immediately established himself in Lisbon, capturing international attention with composure far beyond his years in high-profile European ties, including UEFA Champions League encounters against Arsenal.
During his three seasons in Portugal, Diomande amassed 132 appearances in all competitions for Sporting. He was an integral figure in back-to-back Primeira Liga title triumphs in 2023/24 and 2024/25, as well as securing a domestic double in 2024/25 by lifting the Taça de Portugal. His commanding performances earned him consecutive inclusions in the Liga Portugal Team of the Season. In the 2025/26 campaign, he featured 31 times across all competitions, including nine appearances in the Champions League as Sporting reached the quarter-finals.
On the international stage, Diomande has earned 15 caps for Côte d'Ivoire. He played a key role in the Elephants' 2023 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and made his FIFA World Cup debut during the 2026 tournament, playing the full 90 minutes against Curaçao. He becomes the fifth Ivorian player in Nottingham Forest's history and reunites with national teammate Ibrahim Sangaré. Diomande highlighted Sangaré's presence as a vital factor for his integration, referring to the midfielder as a "big brother" figure who continuously supports younger players.
From a tactical perspective, Diomande's arrival provides head coach Oliver Glasner with a dynamic, physical, and highly competent ball-playing defender. Chief Football Officer George Syrianos emphasized that Diomande fits the exact profile the club targeted, praising his winning mentality, commanding presence, and European experience. Having already completed his first training session at the Nigel Doughty Academy, Diomande is preparing for Forest's upcoming pre-season friendly against German side Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the City Ground as a new chapter begins on Trentside.
