LAST UPDATE | 18 Jul
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE announced the signing of French defender Leny Yoro from Lille.
The 18-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the club with the option to extend for a further year.
The PA news agency understands Manchester United paid €62 million (£52.2million) plus €8m (£6.7m) of add-ons for the services of Yoro, who becomes their second signing of the summer following last week’s arrival of Joshua Zirkzee.
The teenager has already featured 60 times for Lille and was named in the Ligue 1 team of the season after helping Les Dogues finish fourth last season.
🔴 This is home.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 18, 2024
Bienvenue a Manchester United, @Leny_Yoro! 🙌
#MUFC
Yoro said: “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.
“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.”
It is understood the Old Trafford outfit are not ruling out making further defensive additions at the right price, subject to successfully balancing their budget this summer.
United sporting director Dan Ashworth 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.”
Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood completed his transfer to Marseille from United.
The PA news agency understands United and Marseille have agreed a €31.6 million (£26.6m) deal, with the Premier League club set to receive a sizeable share of any sell-on for the 22-year-old striker.
Greenwood, who spent last season on loan at Spanish side Getafe, has signed a five-year contract with Marseille.
A statement from the French side read: “Olympique de Marseille are delighted to announce the signing of Mason Greenwood from Manchester United. The 22-year-old striker has signed for the club following a successful medical.”
Greenwood was suspended by United on January 30, 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.
He faced charges including attempted rape and assault, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February last year that the case had been discontinued.
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe had said in February this year that the club would take a decision on Greenwood’s future in the summer, and “justify it one way or the other”.
A short statement from United confirmed the transfer, which delivers on the club’s prior commitment that the one-cap England international would continue his career away from Old Trafford.
“Mason Greenwood has left Manchester United and joined French club Olympique de Marseille on a permanent transfer,” a club statement read.
“The 22 year-old English forward, who spent last season on loan at Getafe in Spain, made 129 appearances and scored 35 goals for United since making his debut in 2019.
“We wish Mason all the best in his future career.”