Nottingham Forest are delighted to announce the signing of Mainz 05 defender Moussa Niakhaté.
The 26-year-old becomes our fourth signing of the summer transfer window, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with the club holding a one-year extension option.
Niakhaté captained Mainz to an eighth-place finish in the 2021/22 season and he has made 128 Bundesliga appearances to date after joining from French Ligue 1 side Metz in 2018.
He initially broke through at Ligue 2 club Valenciennes and he has represented France at Under 19, 20 and 21 age group.
Moussa Niakhaté said: "For me, this a dream to come to England and to sign for such a historic club in Nottingham Forest. The club is well known around the world and its fans are incredible.
“The Premier League is also the best league in the world and every player wants to play here.
"I’m just so excited to get started in pre-season, meet my new teammates and get ready for the new season, wearing the Garibaldi red and white at the City Ground.”
Niakhaté joins the rest of the Forest squad in Spain for the pre-season training camp. The Reds' opening game of the pre-season schedule comes against Coventry City on Friday evening at the Pinatar Arena.
“Moussa comes to Forest with a wealth of experience in one of Europe’s top competitions, having enjoyed four seasons with Mainz in the Bundesliga,” said Nottingham Forest Head Coach Steve Cooper.
“In addition to being a strong, fast and accomplished centre back, he’s captained Mainz to their best league finish in the last five years, and his leadership experience is invaluable for our return to the Premier League.
“Moussa has attracted the interest of multiple clubs, but he has chosen Nottingham Forest and we are delighted to welcome him into the squad.”