Manchester United confirm signing of Lille defender Leny Yoro in stunning summer swoop

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Lille defender Leny Yoro in a spectacular swoop for one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe.

Yoro, 18, becomes United’s second signing of the summer transfer window after completing his medical in England on Wednesday.

United saw off interest from Real Madrid to agree a fee of £52million plus add-ons with Lille. Yoro will sign a five-year deal with the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

Reinforcements at the back have been a key priority for United this summer with two bids for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite turned away and talks also taking place with Bayern Munich over Matthijs de Ligt.

Yoro appeared to be United’s most difficult target with Real Madrid thought to be his preferred destination this summer. The teenage defender had just one more year on his contract in France with Real’s preference to sign him on a free transfer next summer.

But with Lille eager to cash in, United’s bid was accepted by the Ligue 1 club, successfully convincing the Frenchman to make the move to Old Trafford.

After the move was confirmed on Thursday night, Yoro explained how United’s rich history developing and providing a platform to young talent played a key role in his decision.

‘Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Man Utd so early in my career is an incredible honour.

‘Since my conversations with the club, they set our 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 teammates I cannot wait to get started.’

De Ligt and Branthwaite remain targets for United this summer although any other moves on defensive reinforcements could hinge on offloading players first.

Raphael Varane has already left United this summer following the end of his contract with Willy Kambwala joining Villarreal on a permanent transfer.

The futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof remain uncertain with United looking to move on a number of players this summer.