Nottingham Forest just swiped a gem from under RB Leipzig’s nose. Sources confirm to ESPN that Austria international Xaver Schlager is heading to the City Ground on a free transfer after his Leipzig contract expired at the end of June. The Athletic broke the news first.
The 28-year-old midfielder is set to ink a two-year deal with an option for a third — and let me tell you, this is a coup. Schlager was Leipzig’s vice-captain, a guy the German club desperately wanted to keep. But Forest pounced, and now they’ve got a proven battler in the middle of the park.
Schlager didn’t just sit on the bench at the World Cup either — he started all four of Austria’s matches before they bowed out to Spain in that brutal round of 32 defeat. With 55 caps for his country, he’s got experience at Salzburg, Wolfsburg, and Leipzig. This guy knows big stages.
He’s also the first signing for new Forest boss Oliver Glasner, who just took over earlier this month. Talk about making a statement. Glasner’s got a fellow Austrian who can boss the midfield, and Forest fans should be buzzing.
Check out our summer transfer window grades for the latest big moves in men’s soccer.