Manchester United have signed French defender Leny Yoro from Lille on a deal running until 2029, valued at 62 million euros (£52.18m) with an additional 8 million euros (£6.73m) in add-ons.
The 18-year-old centre-back has agreed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option for an extra 12 months.
Yoro, who debuted for Lille at just 16, had attracted interest from Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, and Liverpool.
Last season, he made 32 league appearances, scored two goals, helped Lille secure a fourth-place finish, and earned 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 honour,” said Yoro.
“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 made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side, who reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League before being knocked out on penalties by Aston Villa.
Yoro’s arrival follows United’s recent signing of forward Joshua Zirkzee, 23, in a £36.5m deal from Italian side Bologna and comes during a summer in which the club have been trying to bring in a central defender.
“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.
Manchester United have submitted two bids for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, both of which have been rejected. Everton reportedly values the player at over £75m.
Additionally, United are in negotiations with Bayern Munich for Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. Sources indicate that while the club is interested in both Branthwaite and De Ligt, they would not sign both players. Further signings will depend on squad space and available funds.
Raphael Varane left the club at the end of the season, and there are uncertainties about the future of Victor Lindelof, whose contract expires next year.
Harry Maguire, who received offers from rival Premier League clubs last summer, chose to stay at Old Trafford and made 22 Premier League appearances.
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