'I will give my best' - Diomande

[Getty Images] Ousmane Diomande will offer "fantastic experience" to Nottingham Forest, says sporting director George Syrianos. The 22-year-old defender has joined from from Sporting Lisbon and is Oliver Glasner's second signing of the summer after Xaver Schlager joined on a free transfer . Diomande has made more than 150 senior first-team appearances, including 15 appearances for his national team, Ivory Coast. Since his Portuguese Primeira Liga debut in February 2023, only two players have completed more passes than Ousmane Diomande (5,354), while he has a pass completion rate of 92.5%. "I am very happy to be here," said Diomande. "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 and all I can to help the team. I cannot wait to meet the supporters at The City Ground and together we can have a good season." Sporting director George Syrianos, added: "We have been very clear on the profile of player we want to add to the squad, so we are excited to welcome Ousmane to the club. "He has fantastic experience for a defender of his age. Playing a crucial role in title winning teams and going into the latter stages of the Champions League puts him in a great position to integrate well here at Forest. "Ousmane is a powerful, commanding defender, and arrives here with a winning mentality. He shares the same ambition for success we have, and we are excited to see the impact he can have in a Forest shirt."