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Arnaud Kalimuendo told Nottingham Forest's website he was "impatient to get started" at the club Nottingham Forest have signed Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo on a five-year contract for a reported initial fee of £26m. Frenchman Kalimuendo, 23, scored 18 goals in 34 appearances last season as Rennes finished 12th in Ligue 1. Forest had already spent at least £114m on six players in the summer transfer window before making this signing. Over the weekend, they also bought winger Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town for £37. 5m and spent close to £30m on Manchester City midfielder James Mc Atee. This came after manager Nuno Espirito Santo had questioned the club's transfer process on Friday, feeling his squad is ill-equipped to handle a European campaign. Forest comfortably beat Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground in their opening Premier League game of the season on Sunday. Kalimuendo joins Botafogo striker Igor Jesus as competition and support for forward Chris Wood in Espirito Santo's side. Brazil international Jesus, 24, was bought for a reported £10m fee in July. Forest complete Hutchinson and Mc Atee signings Kalimuendo, who started his career at Paris St-Germain, has scored 40 times in 113 games for Rennes since joining in 2022. He also won silver with France at the Paris Olympic Games last year. "When I heard about the interest from Forest, I was honoured, " he told the club's website. "I'm ready for the challenge and I arrive here with good experience. I had a good season last year with goals and assists but I want more and want to reach a new level here. "I can't wait to play in the Premier League and to play at the City Ground. I watched games from last season and it's clear the fans create a beautiful atmosphere. " Forest are preparing for the Europa League this season, having been promoted to the competition when Crystal Palace were demoted to the Europa Conference League. They sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for an initial £55m but Morgan Gibbs-White signed a new contract despite Tottenham trying to sign the midfielder, which left Forest considering legal action. Kalimuendo finished as the third top scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 17 goals – all from inside the penalty area and including five spot-kicks. Only PSG's Ousmane Dembele and Mason Greenwood of Marseille scored more, though Kalimuendo's shot conversion rate of 22% was better than both of them. He scored 13 of his 18 big chances, equating to 72% - a figure only bettered by one regular scorer in France's top flight last season. Kalimuendo, though not tall, has the strength and skill to turn defenders and he ranks highly for winning possession in the final third too. The 23-year-old began his career at PSG but only made one league start for the club. He scored 19 goals in 60 league games on loan at Lens and has improved his goal output each season with Rennes, who he joined in 2022. He has also scored 11 goals in 33 caps for France's under-21 side. Latest Nottingham Forest news, analysis and fan views Ask about Nottingham Forest - what do you want to know? Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Five things from the opening Premier League weekend Neymar leaves field in tears as Santos humbled De Chambeau & Rose qualify for Ryder Cup - who else is in? Why are so many people taking ketamine? Why was this French film so controversial? Military drama starring Lacey Turner and Michelle Keegan A battle between two activists and a fast food giant The rule that disallowed Eze's free-kick - analysis. Video The rule that disallowed Eze's free-kick - analysis Perseverance through resistance - the history of the Women's Rugby World Cup Arsenal profit from Bayindir error to beat Man Utd. Video Arsenal profit from Bayindir error to beat Man Utd 'Back with a bang! ' - Hodgkinson wins 800m in world lead time. Video'Back with a bang! ' - Hodgkinson wins 800m in world lead time 'People think I'm uneducated' - getting to know Wayne Rooney Red Roses partner with Barbie before World Cup Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time. Video Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time 'He has made young players dream' - the making of Liverpool icon Salah Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away. Video Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Video When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Becky Zerlentes - the first female boxer to die in fight in US Hansie Cronje, match-fixing and plane crash that left a complex legacy Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.