Who is Ousmane Diomande? All you need to know about Nottingham Forest’s new signing
Ousmane Diomande will shore up Nottingham Forest’s defence.
Ahead of the start of the English Premier League 2026-27 season, Nottingham Forest have added Ivorian centre-back Ousmane Diomande to their roster. The 22-year-old joined from Sporting CP in a deal worth €40 million, with the Tricky Trees confirming the signing on Tuesday.
Diomande is only the third signing made by Forest in the summer transfer window. The Premier League side signed Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager on a free transfer. Gustavo Sa also joined from Famalicao, although he was immediately loaned to Olympiacos.
The latest signing will be a welcome addition to Oliver Glasner’s side. He was left short in defence following the release of Willy Boly and the exit of David Carmo to Olympiacos.
For Diomande, this latest move is a highlight of his young career. Following his move from his home country, he has played for clubs in Denmark and Portugal. However, he will now have to test himself in the demands and rigours of the Premier League, helping Nottingham challenge for a top-half finish as well as compete in Europe.
Also Read: Who is Jorge Salinas? Manchester United eye Spanish left-back as Lewis Hall alternative
Ousmane Diomande’s career so far
Born in Abidjan, Diomande started his career at the age of 10 in the youth academy of Olympic Sport Abobo. He was scouted by Danish side FC Midtjylland, with Diomande completing a move to their youth team in 2020.
Diomande made his breakthrough in 2022, joining Portuguese side Mafra on a season-long loan. He impressed during his six-month loan spell, making 13 league appearances and attracting the attention of Sporting CP.
Sporting convinced Midtjylland to terminate Diomande’s loan and agree to a €7.5 million transfer, with the fee rising to €14.50 million through add-ons. The defender signed a four-year contract, with his release clause at €80 million.
Across three seasons, he made 87 league appearances for the Primeira Liga side, marking himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe.
His impressive performances saw him called up for the Ivory Coast national team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his debut in September 2023, playing in a match against Lesotho.
He represented his nation at the FIFA World Cup 2026, playing 90 minutes against Curacao. So far, he has earned 15 international caps.
Who is Ousmane Diomande?
He is a 22‑year‑old Ivorian centre‑back, signed by Nottingham Forest from Sporting CP.
How much did Nottingham Forest pay for Ousmane Diomande?
Nottingham Forest paid €40 million to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.