OGC Nice have confirmed the signing of 21-year-old Ghanaian centre-back Kojo Peprah Oppong from Swedish top-tier club IFK Norrköping.

The move comes shortly after Nice secured Manchester City defender Juma Bah on a season-long loan, as the French club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the new Ligue 1 campaign.

Oppong joins on a permanent deal, although the transfer fee and contract duration remain undisclosed. However, French outlet L’Équipe reports that the fee is estimated to be between €2 million and €3 million.

“Kojo is a player that we’d been supervising until very recently,” explained Florian Maurice, sporting director of Le Gym.
“Even though he’s young,he has established himself in the Swedish top flight at Norrköping, after a very interesting loan spell at [second-division side] Sundsvall. What drew us to him was not only his speed, his mobility and his aggression in duels but also his ability to play in different defensive systems.

“Obviously, he still has areas to improve upon and things to learn; we’re well aware of that, and so is he. We’re also here to help him to develop, though, and he’s ready to play because the Swedish league season is already underway.”

For Oppong, the transfer marks a significant step in his career.

“Signing for OGC Nice is an important moment and a source of pride,” he said. “I’m going to reach a new level at Nice, a club that fights for the top spots in Ligue 1 and that will be playing in Europe for a second consecutive season, and I feel ready for this new challenge.”

Oppong is expected to join up with his new teammates immediately as they continue pre-season preparations at their training camp in Austria.