Manchester United complete signing of highly-rated Lille defender

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of highy-rated Lille defender Leny Yoro for a fee reported to be worth €63m (£53m).

The 18-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, which will see him remain at the club until 2029, with the option of an extra year included. He will take the number 15 shirt once worn by Nemanja Vidic, but more recently put on by loanee pair Marcel Sabitzer and Sergio Reguilón

Yoro had been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, with reports indicating that the Champions League winners were his original preference. However, United have won the race for his signature, in what can be considered a significant coup for both the club and the new INEOS power structure.

Capped at all youth levels for France, the defender made his Lille debut aged just 16, becoming the second youngest player in the club's history. He has since made 60 first-team appearances, 44 of which came last season.

Yoro's arrival fills the gap left in Erik ten Hag's defence left by a player he has often being compared to, Raphaël Varane. With Willy Kambwala having also departed and strong links to both Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, it is unclear if the Frenchman will be the last defender signed.

“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", the teenager explained.

Yoro is United's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.