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Nottingham Forest have officially announced the signing of Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager as the first addition of the Oliver Glasner era. The 28-year-old international has joined the City Ground on a two-year contract after an excellent four-season spell with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Familiar faces come together again on Trentside

The transfer sees the Austrian international link up once more with his fellow countryman Glasner. The duo previously shared a productive working relationship at Wolfsburg, where Schlager was an important part of a team that reached the Europa League knockout rounds and finished fourth in the Bundesliga to qualify for the Champions League.

Speaking to the club's official website when he was unveiled, Schlager said he was proud to join the historic club. He said: “It is a huge honour to join Nottingham Forest, it is a very traditional club with a big history winning two European Cups under Brian Clough. I wanted a new challenge and to join a club with good players and I am happy to be reunited with Oliver who I know from my time at Wolfsburg. The club has big ambitions and so do I, I want to be back in European competitions, and we have a good chance. It is the best feeling to play internationally during the week, and I want to achieve that. I am very happy and proud to be here, and I want to give my everything for the Club and its supporters.”

Strong European experience

Schlager arrives in Nottingham with an impressive background across some of Europe’s biggest competitions. Before his spells with Wolfsburg and Leipzig, he played a key role at Red Bull Salzburg, helping the Austrian club reach the Europa League semi-finals in 2018. Over the past seven seasons in Germany, he has made nearly 200 appearances, while also gaining valuable Champions League experience. His tactical flexibility and high-energy game make him a natural match for the pressing style Glasner is well known for using, and he also served as vice-captain at Leipzig during the 2025-26 campaign.

Last season, the midfielder stayed a regular performer, making 30 appearances for RB Leipzig before representing Austria in every match of their World Cup campaign, which ended in the round of 32 with a defeat to Spain - Austria’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. He now has 55 international caps.

Tactical suitability and leadership traits

Forest's chief football officer George Syrianos spoke highly of the club's new signing, stressing the particular qualities that made Schlager a priority target. Syrianos said: