'Incredible honour' - Leny Yoro's first words as a Manchester United player after €70m deal completed
Man Utd have completed their second signing of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United have completed the signing of Leny Yoro from Lille.
The 18-year-old defender becomes the second addition of the summer transfer window after United agreed a €62 million fee, plus a further €8 million in add-ons. He has signed a contract until June 2029, with the option to extend for a further year.
It means United have two major signings secured before the start of their pre-season tour and means the club have now effectively already replaced both Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane. Yoro is expected to be available for selection immediately.
United sources say both Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee were strongly backed by club scouts, the football leadership team and Erik ten Hag. It is understood United began working on deal before the end of last season and held multiple meetings with the player outlining their plans for him.
Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Yoro said: “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour. 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.”
United sporting director Dan Ashworth was equally pleased to complete a deal for such an exceptional young talent. He said: "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 homegrown or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the required guidance, time and patience to grow and flourish. 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.”
As reported by ManchesterWorld earlier in the day, United are still looking to add another centre-back to their squad this summer even after a deal for Yoro was completed. United retain an interest in both Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite but club sources insist Yoro was always the priority addition and was the deal they were able to progress the fastest. Further defensive additions will depend on player sales.