Nottingham Forest have confirmed their third signing of the summer as versatile defender Giulian Biancone has joined the club from French side Troyes.
22-year-old Biancone began his career as a right-back, but impressed last season at centre-back, helping Troyes avoid relegation from the French top flight and helping them into a respectable 15th place finish,
His arrival follows those of Taiyo Awoniyi from Union Berlin and Dean Henderson from Manchester United on a loan deal, with Brice Samba expected to depart this summer.
And Biancone wasted no time making his happiness to join Forest and spoke of their history and fanbase in an interview given with the club.
“I am very happy to arrive at a club like Nottingham Forest after a good experience with my former club Troyes.
“I know it’s a big club, very known across Europe and I'm very excited to be joining the club, with its great fanbase and history.
“Having spoken to the Head Coach, it's clear that there are exciting times ahead and I'm looking to joining up with my new teammates and getting started in the Premier League.”
Manager Steve Cooper added that “Giulian is a very talented defender who has attracted lot of interest from clubs across Europe,”
“He’s proven himself at the highest level in France and Belgium over recent years, and he recognises what we want to build at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League."
“He’s a versatile defender who is a very strong addition at centre back or on the right and we’re delighted to welcome him to Nottingham Forest.”
Niakhate to follow
It could soon be an all-French centre-back partnership in the midlands for their first Premier League season since the turn of the millennium, with Moussa Niakhate set to join from Mainz in the coming weeks.
It will add some added quality to Steve Cooper's squad, and the additions may continue to arrive with owner Evangelos Marinakis giving his club every chance to compete on the highest stage.