"Back into" - New signing at first Leeds United opponents big claim as Ipswich also complete £35m triple swoop
A new signing at predicted key Leeds United rivals has made a big declaration upon joining the club.
A new signing at Leeds United rivals and opening opponents Nottingham Forest has made a big European football claim upon becoming new boss Oliver Glasner’s first signing at the club.
Glasner announced in January that he would be leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season and the Austrian manager was appointed new head coach of Forest earlier this month following the departure of Vitor Pereira.
Forest went through four different managers during a troubled 2025-26 season in which the club were threatened by relegation, the Reds eventually finishing fifth-bottom but still three points behind newly-promoted Leeds.
Forest, though, still made the final of last season’s Europa League and Glasner’s first new signing Xaver Schlager has quickly set his sights on helping the club back into Europe with a nod to Forest’s history under Brian Clough.
Austrian international midfielder Schlager has joined the club on a free transfer upon his contract at RB Leipzig expiring ahead of a new season which begins with the visit of Leeds to the City Ground on Saturday, August 22.
“It’s a big honour to be here and I’m very happy,” said Schlager as quoted by Nottingham Forest’s official website.
“This is a traditional club with a big history that has won the European Cup under Brian Clough. I’m happy to be here and I want to give everything to this club.
“We have a good team and a good chance”
“The main thing for me is that I wanted to join a good club with good players. I wanted a new challenge and it was perfect that he is the coach here now.
“I want to help the club back into Europe. We have a good team and a good chance. I’ve played a lot of games on this stage and it’s the best feeling and truly the best games.”
In other transfer news, newly promoted Ipswich Town have completed a quick triple swoop of signings in recruiting Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City, Issa Diop from Fulham and Kayne van Oevelen from FC Volendam.
Winger Fatawu joins from Leicester for £20m plus £3m in add-ons whilst centre-back Diop has cost £8.5m from Fulham. Keeper van Oevelen has joined for around £3.4m from FC Volendam.