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Manchester United have signed French defender Leny Yoro from Lille in a deal worth $67.5 million, with an additional $8.7 million in potential add-ons. The 18-year-old centre-back has committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option for an extra 12 months.
Yoro, who made his debut for Lille at 16, was sought after by Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, and Liverpool. Last season, he made 32 league appearances, scored two goals, and was instrumental in helping Lille secure a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1. His impressive performance earned him a spot in the Ligue 1 team of the season.
"Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honor," Yoro said. "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 team-mates. I cannot wait to get started."
Yoro played 44 matches across all competitions for Lille, who reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League before being eliminated by Aston Villa on penalties.
His arrival follows United's recent signing of forward Joshua Zirkzee, 23, from Bologna for $39.7 million. United have been actively seeking to strengthen their defense, having made two unsuccessful bids for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, who is valued at over $81.6 million. They are also in negotiations with Bayern Munich for Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt.
"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," said United sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The club is strategizing its defensive lineup following Raphael Varane's departure at the end of the season and the uncertain future of Victor Lindelof, whose contract expires next year. Despite bids from other Premier League clubs, Harry Maguire chose to stay at Old Trafford last summer and ended up making 22 Premier League appearances.
As United continue to evaluate their squad and financial capabilities, further defensive signings will depend on available resources and squad space.
