Manchester United have finalized the signing of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro from French Ligue 1 side Lille, the clubs confirmed on Thursday.
United reportedly secured Yoro’s services for a fee of €62 million ($67.6m), with an additional €8m ($8.7m) in potential add-ons.
Amidst interest from La Liga giants, Real Madrid, Yoro chose to join Manchester United, having communicated his decision to the Spanish club on Tuesday night.
“Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honor,” Yoro stated during the announcement. He stated that the club’s clear development plan and commitment to his growth as pivotal factors in his decision.
Leny Yoro will join Joshua Zirkzee, who recently transferred from Bologna, at Old Trafford. Both signings are part of the club’s new strategy under the guidance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, club scouts, and manager Erik ten Hag.
Yoro became a first-team regular at Lille and debuted at 16 and is expected to replace departed defender Raphaël Varane.
United is also exploring further defensive reinforcements, including Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.