Manchester United have confirmed the signature of in-demand 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille on an initial five-year contract.
Yoro travelled to Manchester on Wednesday for a medical with the 20-time English champions, and his arrival at Old Trafford has now been announced by the Red Devils.
Man United have allegedly paid an initial €62m (£52.2m) for the defender, although the deal could eventually rise to €70m (£58.9m) if various add-ons are met.
Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with Yoro this summer, but Man United have won the race, with the youngster penning a deal until June 2029, with the option to extend for a further 12 months.
"Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour," Yoro told Man United's official website after the deal was confirmed.
🔴 This is home.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 18, 2024
Bienvenue a Manchester United, @Leny_Yoro! 🙌
#MUFC
Man United sign Yoro from Lille on a five-year contract
"Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.
"I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new teammates. I cannot wait to get started."
Meanwhile, Man United's new sporting director Dan Ashworth added: "Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; he possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back.
"Having had such an excellent start to his career, we are excited to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.
"This club has a fantastic record of developing young players, whether home-grown or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the required guidance, time and patience to grow and flourish.
© Reuters
Ashworth calls Yoro "one of the most exciting young defenders in world football"
"Under Erik ten Hag and our excellent staff we will ensure that Leny has the perfect platform to achieve the success that everyone across the club is aiming for."
According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst, Man United have been working on a deal for Yoro since the end of last season, and his arrival is a huge statement of intent from the club.
Real Madrid are only believed to have offered €25m (£21m) in the current window, while Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool were also linked with his services.
Yoro leaves Lille having made 60 appearances, including 44 outings during the 2023-24 campaign, and he could make his official debut for Man United in the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10.
© Reuters
Is he the perfect partner for Martinez?
Yoro could potentially feature alongside Lisandro Martinez in the Man United defence next season.
Martinez, 26, was restricted to just 14 appearances for the Red Devils last term due to injury problems, but he returned for the FA Cup final against Manchester City and was excellent in his side's 2-1 win.
The Argentina international also starred for his country at the Copa America, scoring once in five appearances at the competition, and he will be bidding to put his injury issues behind him next term.
Man United are still interested in Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, while Jonny Evans has signed a new deal; Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are also still at Old Trafford, but the latter is being widely tipped to leave.
Martinez, providing that he is fit, is certain to start for the Red Devils next term, and he could be joined by Yoro, with the 6ft 3in centre-back, who was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year for 2023-24, seemingly the perfect partner for the South American.
Matt Law
