Brentford break club record to sign Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare
The 24-year-old joins from Lens on a five-year deal after 33 appearances for the French club last season
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Brentford have completed the signing of Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare from French club Lens. The deal sets a new club record, surpassing the £42.5 million Brentford paid to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth in the summer of 2025. The exact fee for Sangare remains undisclosed, but the club confirmed it exceeds the previous benchmark.
Sangare, 24, has signed a five-year contract with an option for a further year. He arrives after making 33 appearances for Lens during the 2025-26 season, where the team finished second in Ligue 1. The midfielder has also represented Mali 16 times, including at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
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A player tracked for some time
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said the club had monitored Sangare for an extended period. "Mamadou is someone that we've tracked for quite some time," Andrews said, as reported by the BBC. "He was a player we were really keen to bring in."
Andrews highlighted Sangare’s development during loan spells and his consistent performances for Lens. "Last season was a huge season for him," he said. "At Lens, he performed at such a consistently high level for a team that finished second in the league."
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He fits everything we want from a Brentford player, on and off the pitch. He'll be a player that I think will become very, very popular with the fans.
Keith Andrews, Brentford head coach
Career path to Brentford
Sangare began his career at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Rapid Vienna. His performances during a loan spell at Hartberg earned him a permanent transfer to the Austrian club. From there, he joined Lens in 2025, where he established himself as a key player in central midfield.
Andrews described Sangare as a determined and humble player. "From the conversations I've had with him, he's very keen to come here," he said. The coach added that Sangare’s attitude aligns with the club’s values and expects him to integrate quickly into the squad.
What happens next
Sangare will join Brentford’s pre-season training ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The club have not announced when he will make his debut, but he is expected to feature in friendlies before the Premier League season begins. Brentford’s first home game is scheduled for 16 August 2026 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Questions this report answers
+How much did Brentford pay for Mamadou Sangare?
The exact fee was not disclosed, but Brentford confirmed it exceeds the £42.5m paid for Dango Ouattara in 2025. This makes Sangare the club’s most expensive signing to date.
+What position does Mamadou Sangare play?
Sangare is a central midfielder. He made 33 appearances for Lens last season and has represented Mali 16 times, including at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
+When will Mamadou Sangare make his Brentford debut?
Brentford have not announced a specific date, but he is expected to feature in pre-season friendlies. The club’s first home game is on 16 August 2026 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
+How long is Mamadou Sangare’s contract with Brentford?
Sangare has signed a five-year contract with Brentford, which includes an option for a further year. The deal was confirmed by the club on 29 July 2026.
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