Manchester United have completed the signing of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro from French Ligue 1 side Lille, the clubs confirmed on Thursday.
United have agreed a fee of €62 million ($67.6 million), plus a possible €8 million ($8.7 million) in add-ons, to sign the France Under-21 international, sources told ESPN.
Yoro joined United despite interest from Real Madrid, after sources told ESPN the Spanish side opted not to engage in a bidding war with the Premier League club for the centre-back.
Sources added that Yoro informed Madrid of his intention to join United on Tuesday night after the Spanish club made no move to sign him.
“Signing for a club of the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour,” Yoro said as part of the announcement. “From my earliest conversations with the club, they have laid out a clear plan on how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and have shown a lot of affection for me and my family.
“I know the history of young players at Manchester United and I feel that this could be the perfect place for me to fulfil my potential and achieve my ambitions alongside my new team-mates. I can't wait to get started.”
The defender will join Joshua Zirkzee, who signed from Bologna on Sunday, at Old Trafford.
Both signings were supported by the club's new football management put in place in recent months following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner, as well as by the club's scouts and manager Erik ten Hag, sources said.
“Leny is one of the most promising young defenders in world football; he possesses all the attributes required to develop into a top-class centre-back,” new Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth said in a club statement. “After an excellent start to his career, we are delighted to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.”
“This club has a fantastic track record of developing young players, whether they come through the academy or are brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the guidance, time and patience needed to grow and thrive. With 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 yearns for.”
Zirkee and Yoro effectively replace striker Anthony Martial and defender Raphaël Varane after the experienced duo left the club earlier this summer.
The club have not ruled out making further defensive signings, sources told ESPN, with the club still keen on Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. However, transfer fees remain a potential stumbling block, with ESPN reporting that United have already had a £50m ($64m) bid rejected for Branthwaite.
Yoro is considered one of Europe's brightest young defensive talents after becoming a regular at Lille. He made his senior debut at the age of 16 at the end of the 2021-22 season.
ESPN's Mark Ogden contributed to this report.
