Nottingham Forest have confirmed the arrival of midfielder Orel Mangala from Stuttgart.
The 24-year-old becomes the Reds’ 12th new addition of the summer as boss Steve Cooper shapes his squad ready for the Premier League season. He makes the move for a fee believed to be in the region of £12.7m as owner Evangelos Marinakis bankrolls a spending spree ahead of the step up in divisions.
Mangala joined Stuttgart from Anderlecht in the summer of 2017 and had two years left to run on his contract with the German side. Last season, he made 28 appearances in the Bundesliga.
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Crystal Palace and West Ham United had been credited with an interest in the Belgium international, who made his senior debut for his country in March. But it is Forest who have clinched his signature, ready for the new campaign. He has put pen to paper on what is described as a "long-term" contract, amid reports a four-year deal was agreed.
He bolsters Cooper’s options in the centre of the pitch, with Lewis O’Brien having already been brought in to strengthen in that area. Additionally, Taiwo Awoniyi, Dean Henderson, Giulian Biancone, Moussa Niakhate, Neco Williams, Wayne Hennessey, Omar Richards, Harry Toffolo and Jesse Lingard have all put pen to paper at the City Ground this summer. Brandon Aguilera has linked up with the Reds, too, but is viewed as one for the future and has headed straight out on loan.
Mangala joins ahead of the Reds’ opening top-flight game next Saturday. They get their season up and running by making the trip to face Newcastle United on August 6.
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