Nottinghamshire

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Xaver Schlager is not part of a Nottingham Forest rebuild - the Reds certainly do not need that - but it is immediately apparent Oliver Glasner is making his mark on the squad.

Schlager played for Glasner at Wolfsburg and the Austrian taking charge at the City Ground and his influence have clearly helped in the move for the midfielder.

Forest always wanted two midfielders to help replace Elliot Anderson and Schlager offers good experience with no transfer fee.

With over half a century of caps for Austria, Schlager will deliver know-how and help solidify Forest's midfield after Anderson's exit. Anderson's influence at Forest was key and it would be unfair to expect the same impact from the 28-year-old, at least straight away.

Glasner was confident Forest would have signings join them on camp in Portugal this week and Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall remains the top midfield target.

Forest are still chasing the Sweden international and he would be viewed as the main replacement for Anderson, should he eventually move to the City Ground.

It is about quality this summer and Forest have already set their stall out by moving for Glasner to replace Vitor Pereira earlier this month.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Austria international Xaver Schlager has become Oliver Glasner's first signing at Nottingham Forest.

The midfielder moves to the City Ground on a free transfer and has signed a two-year deal after leaving RB Leipzig.

He has spent the past four seasons at Leipzig, where he was vice captain, and has previously played for Red Bull Salzburg, Wolfsburg - where he worked with Glasner - and Austrian side Liefering.

Schlager 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."

Schlager started all four games for Austria at the World Cup and has 55 caps for his country. He won the Austrian Bundesliga with Salzburg four times.

Chief football officer George Syrianos added: "He's a leader, with years of experience playing at the highest level in Europe, and there is a strong feeling he has all the attributes to make an immediate impact on the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest won their second successive pre-season fixture as they eased to a 3-0 victory over Championship side Blackburn Rovers in Portugal.

Igor Jesus put Forest ahead before the half-time interval, firing into the roof of the net.

Arnaud Kalimuendo took just three minutes to increase Forest's lead after the break and Taiwo Awoniyi made sure of the victory, slotting into the bottom corner.

Oliver Glasner's side will complete more fixtures as part of the pre-season training camp in the Algarve. They are due to play a behind-closed-doors game against Vitoria S.C. before the Reds take on Portuguese giants Sporting CP on Friday 31 July.

After the match, Glasner spoke to Forest TV, external and said: "It was a very good test again. Credit to the players for their work rate, and we scored some nice goals. It's just pre-season, but winning 3-0 against a Championship side is always positive.

"We could see plenty of positive aspects in the game and also what we will work on in the next couple of days and weeks.

"Every win and clean sheet helps us in getting more and more confidence.

"We have plenty of attacking players on the pitch and we want them to arrive in dangerous areas. We created many chances and scored three nice goals, we're encouraging our strikers to show up in these areas and today it worked."