Brentford sign Sangare for club record fee

Brentford has announced the signing of Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens in what is believed to be a club-record fee. The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract, with an option for an additional year. While the exact fee was not disclosed by the club, it is reported to exceed the £42.5m paid for Dango Ouattara last summer.

Head coach Keith Andrews revealed that Brentford had been tracking Sangare for some time, expressing their keen interest in bringing him on board. Last season was significant for Sangare, following loan spells that helped him develop. While playing for Lens, he consistently performed at a high level, contributing to the team's second-place finish in the league. Moreover, Sangare's performances for Mali showcased his key role in the team.

Sangare made 33 appearances for Lens last season after joining from Rapid Vienna. Prior to that, he had spent time at Red Bull Salzburg, where he underwent several loan spells before eventually securing a move to Rapid Vienna. Sangare boasts 16 caps for Mali and participated in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

During his conversations with Sangare, Andrews expressed his enthusiasm about the midfielder's determination to join Brentford. Describing him as a humble yet determined young man, Andrews emphasized that Sangare fits well with everything the club seeks in a player, both on and off the pitch. He believes that Sangare will become a highly popular figure among Brentford fans.