What to expect from Xaver Schlager as Nottingham Forest swoop for midfielder

Filling a significant midfield void has been the challenge facing Nottingham Forest this summer.

Elliot Anderson was always going to be a tough act to follow after being so good last season. The England man leaves big boots to fill after his £116 million move to Manchester City.

In Xaver Schlager, though, the Reds hope they have an experienced pro capable of helping to plug the gap. Even better that he is a free transfer after leaving RB Leipzig at the end of last season.

The Austria international is yet to test himself in the Premier League but has 150 appearances in the Bundesliga under his belt. The Nottingham Post takes a look at what to expect from the 28-year-old…

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Schlager came up through the ranks at RB Salzburg and enjoyed something of a breakthrough season aged 19. After a couple of outings the previous term, he racked up more minutes during the 2016/17 campaign and also got a taste of European football.

He built on that experience and over the course of the following couple of years became a regular starter. In total, Schlager made 67 league appearances for Salzburg and helped them reach the Europa League semi-finals in 2018.

His performances earned the Austrian a move to Wolfsburg the following summer, where he worked under new Reds head coach Oliver Glasner. Schlager took the switch to Germany in his stride and became a key figure, despite being hampered by ankle and knee issues.

After three years and 81 games for Wolfsburg, he signed for Leipzig in 2022. A reported €12m (£10m) release clause in his contract had been activated and he signed a four-year deal.

During his time at Leipzig, he helped the club win the German Cup and German Super Cup. He had further bad luck with injuries, sustaining a torn ACL in 2024, but still notched up 81 league appearances and took on the role of vice-captain before his departure this summer.

He has 55 caps and four goals to his name for Austria, including playing his part at this summer’s World Cup. Prior to becoming a senior international, he had represented his country at various age group levels.

Leipzig were keen to hold on to Schlager and wanted to renew his contract, holding “several open and respectful discussions” with him, according to a press release announcing his departure. He also had a number of clubs across Europe keen on snapping him up.

It seems the pull of working with Glasner again acted as a lure, however. His move to the City Ground will allow him to experience the English top flight for the first time.

Schlager has been compared to Bayern Munich great Bastian Schweinsteiger. Indeed, earlier this year another former Germany international, Lothar Matthaus, suggested Bayern should make a move for Schlager.

“Since Leon Goretzka is leaving Munich, Schlager could be a good fit,” Matthaus said (via Bavarian Football Works) back in February. “He’s available on a free transfer, has international experience, and has known the Bundesliga for years.

“And in Leipzig, he’s not just responsible for the physical work, but also contributes to the team’s attacking play. Schlager is like (Bayern Munich’s Konrad) Laimer’s twin on the pitch, just as tenacious and strong in duels. And Laimer would concentrate on his role as a right-back at Bayern if Schlager were to join.”

Announcing Schlager’s impending exit, Leipzig managing director of sport Marcel Schafer said: “We dedicated a lot of time and effort over the course of several meetings to trying to persuade Xaver to extend his contract with us. However, of course we accept and respect his decision to pursue a new challenge, especially as the whole process was characterised by open and honest discussions.

“Over the last three-and-a-half years, Xaver has played a key role at RB Leipzig and always gave his all on the pitch. We owe him a debt of gratitude and naturally wish him all the best for his next chapter. Our focus remains on what lies ahead and, together with Xaver, we will do everything we can over the coming months to achieve our goals this season.”

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