Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Xaver Schlager on a free transfer, bringing the Austrian midfielder back into Oliver Glasner's orbit at the City Ground. The move follows the expiry of Schlager's contract at RB Leipzig, where the club had pushed hard to extend his stay but ultimately could not keep him. It is a deal that carries symbolic as well as practical weight - the first significant midfield addition of the Glasner era at Forest.
According to an exclusive report from *The Athletic*, Forest have agreed a two-year deal with Schlager, with the option of a further year attached. He had drawn interest from clubs across the continent, including Juventus, underlining the regard in which he is held despite his contract situation. Forest's business this summer is being watched closely alongside other movement in the market - much like the attention surrounding the lisa baum arsenal transfer saga, which has shown how quickly rival suitors can be squeezed out once a club moves decisively. lisa baum arsenal transfer
A Familiar Face for Glasner
The reunion is not incidental. Schlager played under Glasner at Wolfsburg, a spell that produced a run to the last 16 of the Europa League and, more strikingly, a fourth-placed Bundesliga finish that secured Champions League qualification. That shared history matters. Glasner has spent recent weeks trying to embed his tactical principles and behavioural standards into a Forest squad still adjusting to a new manager, and having a player already fluent in his methods offers a shortcut few managers get when arriving mid-project.
Leadership as Much as Legs
Schlager's value extends beyond his on-field craft. He served as vice-captain at Leipzig last season, a role that reflected the trust placed in him by teammates and staff alike. Those who worked alongside him in Germany describe a straightforward, honest character with old-school values - the kind of profile clubs prize in a dressing room undergoing change. He won the German Cup and German Super Cup during his time at Leipzig, made 81 league appearances for the club, and has earned 55 caps for Austria, including four at the World Cup.
Filling a Void Left by Anderson
Forest's summer has already been shaped by the departure of Elliot Anderson, a player who was not only among their most productive but also emerging as a genuine influence in the squad. Schlager is a different type of midfielder and may not match Anderson's ceiling in terms of output, but his experience, leadership instincts and pedigree - reflected in the level of interest he attracted elsewhere - suggest he can help offset that loss in a different way. For a Glasner side still finding its identity, it looks, on early evidence, like a shrewd piece of business.
