Transfer centre at Manchester United remains busy as the Premier League club announced the signing of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille on a five-year deal in a move reportedly worth around £50m.
Yoro, whose deal comes with the option to extend for a further year, had been courted by reigning UEFA Champions League holders, Real Madrid, who then quelled their interest in the teenage sensation, making a move to Old Trafford become a reality.
“Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour,” Yoro said after sealing his move to the Red Devils.
Yoro was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season, putting in stellar performances as Lille finished fourth, with the next phase of his development now set to happen with United.
“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,” he said in a statement on the United site.
Recently appointed Sporting Director Dan Ashworth said of the player, “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.”
Ashworth, who was involved in a bit of a transfer saga before taking position at Old Trafford, added, “Having had such an excellent start to his career, we are excited to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.”
Yoro’s arrival comes after that of Joshua Zirkzee from Serie A side Bologna and Mason Greenwood’s exit to Olympique Marseille.