Today, December 2, marks the 28th birthday of Nottingham Forest’s midfield enforcer, Ibrahima Sangaré. Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, back in 1997, Sangaré has grown into one of Forest’s most reliable pillars, the kind of player who brings calmness, bite, and a whole lot of brains to the middle of the pitch.
Since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, he has slowly but surely become a leader within the squad. At 6’3″ (1.91 m), his presence is impossible to miss.
He was very crucial in Nottingham Forest’s comfortable 3-nil victory oiver Malmo in the Europa League and was a member of the midfield that outplayed the likes of Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in Forest’s famous 3-nil victory over Liverpool in the League.
Whether he’s breaking up play, stepping into passing lanes, or winning aerial duels that look almost routine for him, Sangaré’s influence shows up in all the small details that keep Forest ticking; his contribution for Nottingham Forest was recognised as the club sent him a sensational birthday wish on their official X account.
They posted:
Softfootball understands that his journey has been a steady climb, starting out in Ligue 1 with Toulouse, finding success in the Eredivisie, including a 2022/23 league title with PSV, and now adapting to the intensity of Premier League football. Each step has shaped him into the complete midfielder Forest rely on today.
Internationally, Sangaré remains an important piece for the Ivory Coast, playing a big role during their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations victory. That experience and calm winning mentality have been hugely valuable for Forest, especially in tighter, pressure-heavy moments.
Even in the 2024/25 campaign, one that hasn’t always gone smoothly for Forest, Sangaré has been as steady as ever. His passing has stayed sharp, his defensive numbers consistently strong, and his ability to screen the defence while launching counterattacks has been essential to how Forest are set up.
As the club continues to push for better results, Sangaré’s leadership and resilience are exactly what they need. On his birthday, both Forest and their supporters celebrate not just a hard-working midfielder, but a true professional whose quiet authority and dedication continue to shape the identity of the team.
