Manchester United has completed the acquisition of promising French defender Leny Yoro from Lille, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.
The 18-year-old has signed a contract with Manchester United running until June 2029. Reports from British media indicate that the transfer fee amounts to 62 million euros (approximately 52.2 million pounds), with an additional 8 million euros possible in add-ons.
Expressing his excitement about joining Manchester United, Yoro stated on the club’s website, “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.”
Yoro made his professional debut for Lille in May 2022 and has since amassed 46 appearances in Ligue 1 for the French club.
Manchester United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, praised Yoro’s potential, saying, “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.”
Meanwhile, Lille president Olivier Letang expressed mixed emotions about Yoro’s departure, saying, “We’re always sad when a player leaves the club, but we’re also happy and proud when these players, who arrived young, mature into top-level footballers.”
The acquisition of Leny Yoro represents Manchester United’s commitment to bolstering their squad with promising young talent as they prepare for the upcoming season.
