Manchester United complete the transfer of Lille defender Leny Yoro

Manchester United have completed the signing of defender Leny Yoro from Lille.

The Frenchman has signed a five-year contract until 2029, with the option of another year keeping him at Old Trafford until 2030.

United will pay an initial transfer fee of €62m (£52m; $67.9m), along with another €8m in add-ons.

He said: “To sign for a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition so early in my career is an incredible honour. From my first conversations with the club, they have set out a clear plan on how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and have shown a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know the history of the young players at Manchester United and I feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I can’t wait to get started.”

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The Athletic reported that the 18-year-old was flying to the UK to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms with his new club on Wednesday.

Yoro decided on Tuesday night to join United in a transfer worth a maximum €70m, which includes add-ons.

United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth said of the deal: “Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; possesses all the necessary attributes to become a top centre-back. With such an excellent start to his career, we are delighted to support him in reaching his huge potential here at Manchester United.

“This club has a fantastic track record of developing young players, whether they are of local origin or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the guidance, time and patience they need 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 at the club is looking for.”

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Leny Yoro is one of Europe’s best talents. No wonder Man Utd and Real Madrid are on the case

His initial preference was to join Real Madrid, who have also been credited with an interest, but they have shown no sign of paying the price set by United and Lille.

The teenager relished the idea of ​​joining United and the club signed a player widely regarded in the game as a generational talent.

Yoro, who has a year left on his contract with Lille, has progressed through the French club’s youth academy before making his first-team debut in May 2022, aged just 16.

Established himself as one of the best defensive prospects in Ligue 1, making 60 appearances for Lille.

United, meanwhile, continue to admire the likes of Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. However, any new signings will likely depend on player departures to free up finances and squad space.

Yoro Similarities to Van Dijk

Analysis by tactics writer Anantaajith Raghuraman

Yoro is a return defender in some respects due to his tendency to operate as the last man in Lille’s defence.

While he stays deeper, Yoro is agile and reads danger well, similar to centre-back and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Given his age and the areas he typically occupies on the pitch, it’s no surprise that Yoro tends to err on the side of caution in both passing and carrying the ball.

The advantage he brings is that he has the qualities to step into the starting XI, but can also be developed for a season before becoming full-time first choice.

(Main image: Manchester United FC)