Leny Yoro has spoken for the first time after Manchester United confirmed his arrival from Lille in a reported £52million deal. The talented 18-year-old defender has completed a move to United despite rival interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, becoming the signing signing of the INEOS era.
Yoro emerged as one of the world’s most exciting young centre-backs last season, attracting heavyweight interest, including from the European champions.
But United moved quickly to reach an agreement with Lille before eventually convincing the Frenchman to continue his career at Old Trafford.
And Yoro has expressed his excitement to join at the start of a widescale project overseen by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group.
“Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour,” Yoro told the club website.
“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.”
United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, also released a statement after securing the second exciting deal of his 18-day tenure.
He said: “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.
“Having had such an excellent start to his career, we are excited to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.
“This club has a fantastic record of developing young players, whether homegrown or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the required guidance, time and patience 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 across the club is aiming for.”
Yoro’s arrival follows that of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who became INEOS’ first signing in charge of United’s football operations in a £36.5m deal last week.
United have also been busy offloading players to balance the books, confirming Mason Greenwood’s £27m transfer to Marseille earlier on Thursday evening.
The Red Devils are expected to target another centre-back signing, as well as a central midfielder and a full-back, but further sales may be required first.