Manchester United complete €62m signing of Lille defender Yoro
Manchester United have signed Lille centre-back Leny Yoro in a permanent transfer worth €62m (£52.5m), the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday. The 18-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford with an option for a further season, arriving as one of Europe's most sought-after defensive prospects.
Yoro's move ends a protracted negotiation between the clubs after United accelerated talks last week. Lille initially held out for closer to €70m but compromised as the player pushed for the transfer. The French club retains a 15% sell-on clause as part of the deal.
The teenager becomes United's second summer signing after striker Joshua Zirkzee, addressing manager Erik ten Hag's priority to strengthen his backline. Yoro made 32 Ligue 1 appearances last season, helping Lille secure Champions League qualification and earning inclusion in the league's Team of the Season.
United saw off competition from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with the player reportedly favoring Premier League football. His arrival likely signals the end of United's pursuit of Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, though club sources insist multiple defensive reinforcements remain possible.
Lille president Olivier Létang acknowledged the necessity to sell despite Yoro's contract having one year remaining. The fee represents a club-record sale for the French side, surpassing the €60m received from Chelsea for Nicolas Pépé in 2019. Lille are expected to reinvest part of the windfall in Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
Yoro is scheduled to undergo his medical in Manchester on Wednesday before joining United's preseason tour of the United States. The deal could be officially announced before Friday's friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles.
