Man United Acquires Leny Yoro in £58.9m Deal
Manchester United has secured the signing of 18-year-old central defender Leny Yoro from Lille, making him their second acquisition of the summer transfer window. The deal, potentially worth up to £58.9 million, was in the works since last season, involving early meetings to persuade Yoro to join.
Yoro, who has committed to a five-year contract with an optional extra year at Old Trafford, was also sought after by Real Madrid. His impressive performance last season earned him a spot in the Ligue 1 team of the year. Manchester United will initially pay Lille €62 million (£52.2 million) with an additional €8 million (£6.7 million) in potential add-ons. Having not been part of France’s Euro 2024 or Olympic squads, Yoro is set to join his new teammates immediately for the club’s US tour.
Manager Erik ten Hag and other senior club officials conducted several meetings with Yoro to present their vision for his future at the club before Lille accepted United’s offer last week. Scouts had earmarked Yoro as a key target to bolster the team’s central defense.
Having already played 60 first-team games for Lille, Yoro expressed his enthusiasm for joining Manchester United. He stated that the club’s clear development plan and their genuine care for him and his family convinced him that Old Trafford was the ideal place to further his career.
“Joining a club with the prestige and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is a tremendous honor,” Yoro said. “From my initial discussions with the club, they laid out a clear path for my growth in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and they showed great concern for me and my family. I am aware of the club’s history with young players and believe it is the perfect environment for me to reach my potential and achieve my goals with my new teammates. I can’t wait to start.”
Yoro’s signing ensures that United has secured their two primary summer targets before embarking on their pre-season tour. This acquisition follows the earlier signing of forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £35.7 million, providing younger replacements for Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.
Manchester United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, praised Yoro, calling him one of the most promising young defenders in world football. Ashworth emphasized the club’s strong record of nurturing young talent and expressed confidence that under Erik ten Hag’s guidance, Yoro will have the perfect environment to succeed at Manchester United.
