Brentford sign Sangaré from Lens for club-record fee | OneFootball

Brentford have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Mamadou Sangaré from Lens for a club-record fee.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract, with a club option for a further year.

Sangaré arrives in west London following an outstanding debut season in France, during which he helped Lens finish second in Ligue 1 and win the Coupe de France for the first time in the club’s history.

The Mali international made 33 appearances in all competitions for Lens last term, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

He was named in the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year and won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, awarded to the best African player in the French top flight.

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said: “Mamadou is someone that we’ve tracked for quite some time. He’s been on our radar and was a player we were really keen to bring in.

“Last season was a huge season for him following a couple of loan spells during which he developed. At Lens, he performed at such a consistently high level for a team that finished second in the league.

“Added to that was his form for Mali, where he became a really key player for them.

“He’s a player that adds to a really good midfield that we already have; he also adds qualities that we don’t have. He complements the current midfield.

“From the conversations I’ve had with him, he’s very keen to come here. He’s a humble young man, but he’s equally as determined to succeed in his career.

“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.”

Born in Bamako, Sangaré began his career with Malian academy Yeelen Olympique before joining Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in 2020.

He gained his first experience of senior football in Europe with Salzburg’s feeder club FC Liefering, scoring once in 11 appearances during the 2020/21 campaign.

Sangaré continued his development during a succession of loan spells in Austria and Belgium.

He scored five goals in 26 league appearances for Grazer AK during the 2021/22 season before joining Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem for the following campaign.

The midfielder moved on loan to TSV Hartberg midway through the 2022/23 season and established himself as a regular in the Austrian Bundesliga, making 46 league appearances across 18 months with the club.

Sangaré’s performances earned him a permanent move to Rapid Wien in July 2024.

He made 44 appearances in all competitions during his first season in Vienna, helping Rapid reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League and secure a fifth-placed finish in the Austrian Bundesliga.

After beginning the following campaign with Rapid, Sangaré joined Lens in August 2025.

He quickly became an important part of Pierre Sage’s side, making 29 Ligue 1 appearances as Lens mounted a title challenge and finished just six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Sangaré’s athleticism, ball-winning ability and capacity to cover ground helped establish him as one of the division’s standout midfielders.

He also started the Coupe de France final as Lens defeated Nice 3-1 to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

At international level, Sangaré made his senior debut in 2024 and has won 16 caps for Mali.

He featured throughout the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, playing in each of Mali’s matches as they reached the quarter-finals.