Brentford Secures Club-Record Transfer

Brentford has officially confirmed the signing of Malian midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens for a club-record fee. The 24-year-old joins the English club on a five-year contract, which includes an option for an additional year.

While Brentford did not disclose the exact transfer fee, they confirmed it surpasses the £42.5 million paid by Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara last summer.

Mamadou Sangare played a pivotal role for Lens last season, helping the team secure a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and win the French Cup for the first time in their history.

“Mamadou is a player we’ve been tracking for quite some time. He was on our radar, and we were very persistent in our pursuit of him,” stated Brentford head coach Keith Andrews.

“Last season was incredibly important for him after several loan spells where he developed significantly. At Lens, he consistently performed at a high level for a team that finished second in the league. We must also consider his form for the Malian national team, where he has become a key player,” he added.

The central midfielder made 33 appearances for Lens last season, having joined from Rapid Vienna. His career began at Red Bull Salzburg, followed by several loan stints, with strong performances for Hartberg securing his move to Rapid Vienna. Sangare has earned 16 caps for the Malian national team and participated in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.