Nottingham Forest wrap up signing of Serbian centre-back

Nottingham Forest have confirmed the signing of Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina. 

The towering centre-back was key as Fiorentina finished eighth last season, though he was unable to help Serbia progress beyond the group stages at Euro 2024. 

"Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce the signing of Nikola Milenković from Fiorentina," a statement read on the club's official website. 

"The central defender, who stands at 6ft 5in, has signed a five-year deal which runs until the summer of 2029. 

"A Serbia international, Milenković has played 57 times for his country including every minute of their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign. 

"That tournament came on the back of an impressive campaign for Fiorentina, where he made a total of 50 appearances across all competitions for the Italian outfit as they reached the UEFA Europa Conference League final, losing out to Olympiacos who became the first Greek team ever to lift a European trophy. 

"The previous campaign, Milenković was named in the Conference League Team of the Tournament as they reached the final once again, and the powerful defender departs Italy having made 264 appearances across a seven-year spell. 

"Born in Belgrade, Milenković came through the ranks at Partizan, winning a Serbian Cup in his debut season in the first team before winning the Serbian league and cup double the following season." 

Of the 297 players to contest 25 or more aerial duels, Milenkovic had the best aerial success rate (79.4%) in Serie A last season.