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    Manchester United announce the signing of Leny Yoro

    Emma TeeBy No Comments3 Mins Read

    • Leny Yoro joins Manchester United from Lille in £52m transfer

    Manchester United announce the signing of Leny Yoro
    Manchester United announce the signing of Leny Yoro

    Manchester United has announced the signing of 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro. The French prodigy, regarded as one of Europe’s top talents, made his senior debut at Lille at the age of 16 and became a regular starter last season, helping the team finish fourth in Ligue 1 and go to the Champions League qualification rounds.

    Yoro has signed a long-term contract at Old Trafford until 2029, with an option for an additional year. His potential and reputation make him a valuable asset for both the present and future of Manchester United.

    “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour,” Yoro said. “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 team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.”

    United reportedly negotiated a deal worth an initial £42 million, rising to £52 million with various add-ons. Lille was keen to sell this summer due to Yoro entering the final year of his contract.

    Real Madrid had hoped to take advantage of the situation, either by waiting until the player became a free agent in 2025 or securing a deal below market value. However, United’s higher offer was accepted, and Real Madrid effectively bowed out.

    Yoro’s price tag places him among United’s top ten most expensive signings (without add-ons) and makes him the club’s most expensive teenage acquisition. The initial £42 million fee is just behind Bruno Fernandes, who arrived for £46.5 million in 2020.

    The centre-back position has been a priority for United this summer following the release of Raphael Varane and last season’s injury crisis. Yoro joins a group that includes Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof. Lindelof is in the final year of his contract, while Jonny Evans has recently signed a new 12-month extension to provide additional coverage.

    United have also been open to bringing in more than one central defender, with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite both considered serious targets