Nottingham Forest complete signing of Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting

Ousmane Diomande has joined Nottingham Forest from Sporting, giving the Premier League club a new Ivory Coast international at the heart of their defence.

The 22-year-old centre-back arrives in England after more than three years with Sporting, whom he joined on 31 January 2023. Diomande made his name in Portugal and leaves after helping the club win successive Liga Portugal titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

His honours with Sporting also include the Portuguese Cup, which he won in 2025, while he was named Liga Portugal Defender of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign. Those achievements came before his move to the Premier League, where he will now continue his career with Forest.

Diomande was born in Abidjan and represents Ivory Coast at international level. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with his country in 2024, adding a major international title to his domestic success in Portugal.

At 1.90m, the right-footed defender has played primarily as a centre-back. His arrival provides Forest with a defender whose senior career has so far combined club success in Portugal with international silverware for Ivory Coast.

Diomande joined Sporting before turning 20 and established himself during a period in which the Lisbon club claimed two league championships. The 2023-24 season was particularly significant, with the defender receiving the league’s individual award for his position as Sporting secured the title.

He now leaves Portuguese football for the Premier League at the age of 22, with Nottingham Forest completing his move from Sporting on 11 August 2026.