Nottingham Forest complete signing of Xaver Schlager from RB Leipzig

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Xaver Schlager from RB Leipzig, making the Austria international Oliver Glasner's first addition since taking charge.

Schlager becomes Glasner's first signing
Schlager has joined Forest on a two-year contract, arriving after four seasons with RB Leipzig, where he also served as vice-captain during the 2025/26 campaign. The 28-year-old made 30 appearances for the Bundesliga club last season before representing Austria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting all four of his country's matches to take his international tally to 55 caps.

A dynamic central midfielder, Schlager is renowned for his energy, pressing ability and composure in possession, qualities that have made him one of Austria's most consistent performers in recent years.

He began his professional career with Red Bull Salzburg, playing a key role in the club's memorable run to the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League semi-finals. Schlager featured in 14 of Salzburg's 16 matches during that campaign before their narrow defeat to Marseille in the last four.

A move to Germany followed, with the midfielder spending the past seven seasons in the Bundesliga and making almost 200 senior appearances, including 15 in the UEFA Champions League.

During his time at Leipzig, Schlager helped the club reach the Champions League round of 16 in consecutive seasons between 2022 and 2024, while contributing three goals and assists combined in eight appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.

The move to the City Ground reunites him with Oliver Glasner, under whom he previously played at Wolfsburg.

During their two seasons together, Wolfsburg reached the Europa League round of 16 before securing a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga, earning qualification for the Champions League the following season.

Schlager: "It is a huge honour"
After completing the move, Schlager said: "It is a huge honour to join Nottingham Forest. It is a historic club with a great tradition and two European Cups won under Brian Clough. I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to join a team with excellent players. I am also delighted to be reunited with Oliver, who I know well from our time together at Wolfsburg. The club have big ambitions and so do I. I want to play European football again, and I believe we have every chance of achieving that. Playing in Europe is a special experience and it is something I am determined to experience again. I am very happy and proud to be here, and I will give everything for the club and its supporters."

Syrianos welcomes new arrival
Chief football officer George Syrianos added: "Xaver brings outstanding quality and valuable experience to our squad, and we are delighted to welcome him to Nottingham Forest. He is a natural leader with many years of experience at the highest level of European football, and we are confident he has everything needed to make an immediate impact."