Brentford have confirmed the signing of Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens for a club record fee.

The 24-year-old joins on a five-year contract, with an option for a further year.

No fee was reported by the club, but they say it surpasses the £42.5m paid to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth last summer.

“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,” Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said.

“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.”

The central midfielder made 33 appearances for Lens last season after joining from Rapid Vienna.

Having started off at Red Bull Salzburg, Mamadou had a number of loans before his performances for Hartberg earned a move to Rapid Vienna.

He has 16 caps and played at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

“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,” Andrews added.

“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.”