Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Austrian international Xaver Schlager on a two-year contract, reuniting him with manager Oliver Glasner. The deal follows the end of Schlager’s contract at RB Leipzig, and Forest announced the move on Wednesday.
What happened?
Forest announced the capture of Schlager, who arrives at the City Ground after seven seasons in the Bundesliga. The 28-year-old midfielder played 150 Bundesliga games for VfL Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig, and his arrival gives Glasner another familiar face in the engine room. Schlager’s first spell under Glasner came at Wolfsburg, before his €12 million move to Leipzig in 2022.
Schlager’s last season ended strongly despite a serious injury setback. He returned to help Leipzig secure Champions League football and then featured in all four of Austria’s World Cup games, including their Round of 32 exit to eventual champions Spain. Forest, sitting 16th in the Premier League with 44 points from 38 games and a goal difference of minus three, needed midfield depth after a campaign that included a 3-0 win over Blackburn on 22 July 2026.
Why it matters for Nottingham Forest
Glasner now has a trusted operator he knows from their Wolfsburg days. Schlager’s Bundesliga pedigree-150 top-flight appearances and Champions League experience-should ease his transition into English football. The Austrian’s arrival also shores up Forest’s midfield options as they chase a higher finish than 16th, currently 41 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Forest’s recent form reads WDDLL over the last five games, and their next fixture is against Bayer Leverkusen at home on 12 August 2026. Schlager’s arrival is the latest in a string of moves aimed at rebuilding the squad after a tough season that saw them concede 51 goals.
What comes next?
Schlager will link up with the first-team squad in pre-season training, where he’ll face fitness tests after his injury lay-off. Glasner’s side will use the remaining weeks of pre-season to bed in new arrivals and prepare for the Premier League opener. Forest’s summer rebuild continues with more additions expected before the transfer window closes.
