Manchester United Bolster Defense with Signing of Leny YoroManchester United Bolster Defense with Signing of Leny Yoro Manchester United have strengthened their backline with the acquisition of French defender Leny Yoro from Lille on a five-year contract. The 18-year-old center-back joins the Red Devils for a reported transfer fee of €62 million. Yoro has been a standout performer for Lille, making 60 appearances and earning a spot in the Ligue 1 XI of the Season last year. His impressive performances have attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Real Madrid. United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, expressed his excitement about the signing, hailing Yoro as “one of the most exciting young defenders in world football” with “all the qualities required to develop into a top class central defender.” Yoro will join an injury-plagued United defense that has recently seen the departure of Raphael Varane. His arrival is expected to provide much-needed depth and quality to the team. Yoro becomes the club’s second major signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrival of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bayern Munich. Yoro expressed his delight at joining Manchester United, stating, “It is an incredible honor to sign for a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition so early in my career… I know the history of young players at Manchester United and believe it can be the perfect place for me to reach my potential.” The young Frenchman was initially included in Thierry Henry’s provisional French squad for the Paris Olympics but was ultimately left out of the final selection.
Manchester United have signed 18-year-old French defender Leny Yoro from Lille on a five-year contract, the Premier League club announced on Thursday, as they look to bolster their defence.
According to sources, United have agreed a transfer fee of €62 million (USD 67.56 million) for Yoro, who has made 60 appearances for Lille.
The centre-back, who made 41 appearances last season, was named in the Ligue 1 XI of the Season after helping Lille to a fourth-place finish and secure a place in the Champions League qualification.
Several top European clubs are interested in Yoro, including Real Madrid.
He will be a welcome addition to an injury-plagued defence that has seen the departure of Raphael Varane.
“Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football and has all the qualities required to develop into a top class central defender,” United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth said in a statement.
“After such an excellent start to his career, we are delighted to be able to support him in achieving his immense potential here at Manchester United.”
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The teenager is the second major signing for the Old Trafford club after Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee joined on Sunday for €42.5 million.
“It is an incredible honour to sign for a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition so early in my career,” Yoro said in a statement.
“Since my first discussions with the club, they have set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and have shown great care for me and my family.
“I know the history of young players at Manchester United and believe it can be the perfect place for me to reach my potential and realise my ambitions, together with my new teammates,” he added.
Yoro was included in Thierry Henry’s provisional French squad for the Paris Olympics, but was left out of the final selection.
