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Leny Yoro

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Leny Yoro
Yoro with Lille in 2023
Personal information
Full name Leny Olivier Yoro
Date of birth (2005-11-13) 13 November 2005 (age 18)
Place of birth Saint-Maurice, France
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 15
Youth career
2011–2012 Alfortville
2012–2017 Villeneuve-d'Ascq
2017–2022 Lille
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Lille B 13 (0)
2022–2024 Lille 46 (2)
2024– Manchester United 0 (0)
International career‡
2021 France U17 1 (0)
2022 France U18 5 (0)
2023– France U19 2 (0)
2023– France U21 4 (0)
2023– France U23 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:10, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:30, 22 March 2024 (UTC)

Leny Olivier Yoro (born 13 November 2005) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester United. He is widely considered one of the best prospects and young centre-backs in the world.

A Lille academy graduate, Yoro joined the club as a child and then became one of the youngest first-team players when he made his professional Ligue 1 debut in May 2022, at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 1 day. After a first senior season in which he was mainly used as a substitute, he became one of Lille's cornerstones as a teenager in his second full season and made his European debut in August 2023. In 2024, he signed for Manchester United for a fee of €62 million (£52.2 million), making him the most expensive player aged 18 or younger[note 1] and one of the most expensive centre-backs in history.

Yoro represented France at under-17, under-18, under-19, under-21 and under-23 levels.

Early life

Leny Yoro was born on 13 November 2005 in Saint-Maurice, France and spent his first years in Alfortville.[2][3] He is of Ivorian descent through his father. At the age of five, he started playing football at Alfortville where he stayed one season before moving with his family in the Lille area. He then pursued his football learning in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, where he grew up, and finally joined Lille's youth system in 2017.[4]

Club career

Lille

2022–23: Debut as a professional player

"Leny at that time was still 16 and the idea then was that it would just be for pre-season. After just two days I said, ‘No, no he will stay with us here’. For me, players don’t have age if they have talent. [...] It was so easy to understand that he would be important to the team. In all my years as a coach, I’ve never seen such a young player with so much maturity. He has so much class, so much elegance. He’s a beautiful player."

– Paulo Fonseca about Yoro's first steps[5]

Yoro debuted with Lille reserve team in 2022, and quickly signed his first professional contract with the club on 10 January 2022.[6] He made his professional debut with Lille in a 3–1 Ligue 1 win over Nice on 14 May 2022 in the penultimate match of the season. At 16 years six months and one day of age, Yoro is the second youngest Lille player, behind Joël Depraeter-Henry and taking the second place from Eden Hazard.[7][8] In early August, he extended his contract with his club until June 2025.[9]

Next season, he became a permanent member of the professional squad named to play in the 2022–23 Ligue 1. For his first professional jersey number, he opted for number 15.[10] On 17 September, he played his first professional match as a starter in a 2–1 home win against Toulouse.[8] His then-manager Paulo Fonseca stated: "Leny deserved this start, given the way he worked with the team. He deserved to have an opportunity. He had a good match. [...] Being 16 years old, he gave a solid performance, with a lot of character."[11] Fourth centre-back behind veteran and captain José Fonte, Tiago Djaló and Alexsandro,[12] he ended the season with 13 Ligue 1 appearances, including 8 starts, and a total of more than 750 minutes played.[13]

2023–24: Breakthrough and first European matches

Yoro with Lille in 2023

For his second whole season as professional, Yoro became a full-time starter as a right centre-back and played 32 matches out of 34 Ligue 1 fixtures.[13][14] He was the second most used French championship player with a total of 3690 minutes in all competitions at only 18 years old.[14] On 24 August 2023, Yoro scored his first goal at the club in a 2–1 victory over Rijeka, in the first leg of the 2023–24 Conference League play-off round.[15] A month later, he scored his first Ligue 1 goal for Lille with a cross-shot volley in a 2–2 away draw against Rennes.[16] He scored his first goal before his supporters at Stade Pierre-Mauroy with a header on 12 November 2023 in a 1–1 draw against Toulouse FC.[17] In April 2024, he started and played every minute in the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals two legs against Aston Villa in which Lille nearly made it to the semi-finals but lost on penalties.[13] Finishing with his team in 4th place, he contributed to the successful domestic season and the new European qualification of the Mastiffs which is led to play the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round.[18]

According to studies published in October 2023, Leny Yoro is the second defender to win the most duels among all the players playing in Europe this season, across all age groups with 89% of defensive duels won.[19] Yoro was also the best player under 23 in defensive ground duels won.[20] Alongside Virgil van Dijk, he was the only defender across all European leagues to be both a top 10% player in defensive duel success rate and top 10% in aerial duel success rate.[21] As of March 2024, Yoro was also one of the Ligue 1 best passing players with a total of 1537 passes made – the seventh in the league across all positions – and a completion rate of 92.3%.[22]

At the end of the season, Yoro was nominated for the 2023–24 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year[23] and elected in the Team of the Year.[24] Widely regarded as one of the best young prospects and a future world class great defender,[5][25][26][27] he stated after the UNFP awards ceremony: "It’s a bit of a childhood dream that has come true. It ends a awesome season that we had with the supporters, the staff and the team which has been incredible. [...] It’s an honour to have so much attention. When you're a footballer, you have to expect it a little. We know that our performances are examined. Afterwards, I play my football. If there are people watching, it's honestly positive for me and it doesn't impact me on the pitch in any way. I play like I've always played, no matter who is watching me or will watch me."[28]

Manchester United

On 18 July 2024, Yoro officially signed for Premier League major club Manchester United on a five-year contract running until 2029 with the option of an additional year.[29][30] According to various columnists and reporters, the financial details of the transfer include an initial and base fee of €62 million (£52.2 million) and a maximum of €8 million (£6.7 million) add-ons depending on sporting conditions.[31][32][33][34][35] This move made him the most expensive player aged 18 or younger[note 1] and one of the most expensive centre-backs in history.[36][37][38] His contract includes an annual salary around £5.9 million gross plus £1.7 million in possible bonus payments per season.[33][39] He was given the squad number 15 – the same one he had in Lille – which was previously worn by club legend Nemanja Vidić.[40][41] Before eventually choosing to join Manchester United, Yoro was also targetted by Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and England rivals Liverpool.[42][43]

International career

Yoro is a youth international for France, having played for every France youth team from the France U17s to the France U23s.[6][44]

In August 2021, he began his international career when he made an appearance for France U17s, at the age 15 years 9 months and 8 days.[44] The following year, he was called up to the France under-18 team, playing his first match against Estonia on 21 September 2022[45] and making five appearances in total at this level.[44] Yoro then played at under-19 level when he was called up for UEFA European Championship qualifying competition in 2023.[46] He made his debut against Norway on 25 March.[44] The same year, he quickly took a step up and was called-up to the France under-21 squad by coach Thierry Henry.[47] He earned his first cap on 7 September in a 4–1 home win against Denmark at 17 years 9 months and 25 days old.[44] He then played three games in the 2025 UEFA European Championship qualification.[44]

On 22 March 2024, Yoro made his debut at under-23 level in a friendly match against Ivory Coast in the wake of the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, starting alongside his then-Lille teammates Lucas Chevalier and Bafodé Diakité.[48] Next month, he was called up for the Olympics football tournament in a preliminary list[49] but was eventually retained by Lille due to the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round played in August before the start of the Ligue 1 season.[50]

Personal life

After studying within Lille academy, Yoro graduated from high school in management sciences.[51]

Career statistics

As of match played 19 May 2024[52]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lille B 2021–22 Championnat National 3 9 0 — — 9 0
2022–23 Championnat National 3 4 0 — — 4 0
Total 13 0 — — 13 0
Lille 2021–22 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2022–23 Ligue 1 13 0 2 0 — 15 0
2023–24 Ligue 1 32 2 3 0 9[b] 1 44 3
Total 46 2 5 0 9 1 60 3
Manchester United 2024–25 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 59 2 5 0 9 1 73 3
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ a b Although Kylian Mbappé signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, he initially joined the club on loan before his €180 million transfer was completed the following summer, after he had turned 19 years old.[1]

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Jonathan (1 July 2018). "Kylian Mbappe now fully under contract at PSG as loan expires". ESPN. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Leny Yoro". LOSC (in French). Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  3. ^ Fosseux, Olivier (15 December 2023). "Leny Yoro raconté par sa mère : « Il n'a jamais fait de conneries ! »". La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  4. ^ Bja, Rayan (20 April 2022). "Leny Yoro, la force tranquille qui monte". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b Stafford-Bloor, Sebastian (11 April 2024). "Leny Yoro is one of Europe's best talents. No wonder Manchester United and Real Madrid are on the case". The Athletic. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b Bja, Rayan (10 January 2022). "Officiel : Premier contrat professionnel pour Leny Yoro". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. ^ Lemichel, Hugo (15 May 2022). "Nouveau record de précocité au LOSC pour Leny Yoro". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b Lafont, Romain (18 September 2022). "Leny Yoro, plus jeune joueur de Lille à être titulaire depuis Oumar Dieng en 1989". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Leny Yoro prolonge avec le LOSC jusqu'en 2025 !". LOSC (in French). 2 August 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  10. ^ Lemichel, Hugo (8 August 2022). "Leny Yoro portera le numéro 15 cette saison avec le LOSC". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  11. ^ Da Rocha, Joseph (18 September 2022). "Paulo Fonseca après LOSC – Toulouse FC : « Leny Yoro méritait cette titularisation »". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Lille - Players, Ranking and Transfers - 22/23". Football Database. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Leny Yoro at Soccerway. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b Marcant, Raphaël (27 May 2024). "Leny Yoro (LOSC), 2e joueur le plus utilisé à son poste dans l'Hexagone". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  15. ^ Henninot, Julien (25 August 2023). "Ligue Europa Conférence : grâce au premier but d'Yoro en pro, Lille prend l'avantage sur Rijeka". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Ligue 1 : Rennes arrache le nul contre Lille (2-2) dans un choc avec l'Europe". Le Parisien (in French). 16 September 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  17. ^ Pousset, Maxime (12 November 2023). "LOSC-TFC (1-1) : pousser n'est pas gagner". LOSC (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  18. ^ Pousset, Maxime (19 May 2024). "LOSC-Nice (2-2) : L'Europe est au bout du chemin malgré tout". LOSC (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  19. ^ Lécrigny, Gabin (11 October 2023). "Leny Yoro, deuxième meilleur défenseur central d'Europe en termes de duels remportés". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  20. ^ Marcant, Raphaël (4 October 2023). "Leny Yoro, maître dans les duels au sol avec le LOSC". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  21. ^ Lécrigny, Gabin (6 November 2023). "LOSC : Leny Yoro, seul Virgil Van Dijk l'égale en Europe". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  22. ^ Marcant, Raphaël (24 March 2024). "LOSC : Yoro, André, Alexsandro parmi les joueurs qui font et réussissent le plus de passes en Ligue 1". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  23. ^ Football - Trophées UNFP : Les nommés pour le meilleur Espoir de L1 (in French). L'Équipe. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024 – via Dailymotion.
  24. ^ a b "Trophées UNFP : sept joueurs du PSG dans l'équipe type de la saison 2023-2024 en Ligue 1". L'Équipe (in French). 13 May 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  25. ^ Maston, Tom; Gambino, Simone (19 March 2024). "NXGN 2024: The 50 best wonderkids in football". Goal. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  26. ^ Johnson, James (17 July 2024). "'Kylian Mbappe of defenders' Leny Yoro is 6ft 3in teenager who beat Eden Hazard record and now set for Manchester United move". Talksport. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  27. ^ Ogden, Mark (17 July 2024). 'One of the BEST young defenders!' Leny Yoro set to join Man United? | ESPN FC. ESPN FC. Retrieved 17 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Marcant, Raphaël (14 May 2024). "Émotion, reconnaissance et fierté, 5 minutes avec Leny Yoro (LOSC) après la cérémonie des Trophées UNFP". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Transfer news: Yoro signs from Lille". Manchester United. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Bonne route Leny Yoro, Dogue pour toujours". LOSC (in French). 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  31. ^ Ornstein, David (17 July 2024). "Leny Yoro undergoing Manchester United medical ahead of proposed transfer". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  32. ^ Degorre, Damien; Tanzi, Loïc (17 July 2024). "Mercato : comment Yoro est devenu un Diable Rouge de Manchester United". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  33. ^ a b Plettenberg, Florian (17 July 2024). "Manchester United steht vor Transfer von Leny Yoro vom OSC Lille". Sky Sport (in German). Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  34. ^ Ducker, James (17 July 2024). "Manchester United on verge of major coup in £58.8m deal for teenager Leny Yoro". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  35. ^ Fay, Rich (18 July 2024). "What Manchester United Leny Yoro deal means for Matthijs de Ligt move". Manchester World. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  36. ^ Stead, Matt (19 July 2024). "The most expensive Premier League teenagers ever: Only Chelsea signing pricier than Yoro". Football365. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  37. ^ Bishop, Callum (19 July 2024). "20 Most Expensive Defenders in Football History". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Leny Yoro – an expensive gamble for Manchester United, but worth a punt". Twenty Two 13. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  39. ^ Kenmare, Jack (17 July 2024). "New details of Man Utd's contract offer to Leny Yoro emerge that helped see off Real Madrid and Liverpool". SPORTbible. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  40. ^ Fitzpatrick, Peter (18 July 2024). "Manchester United complete signing of highly-rated Lille defender". OneFootball. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  41. ^ O'Donnell, Dale (18 July 2024). "Leny Yoro set for iconic shirt number at Manchester United". Stretty News. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  42. ^ Quarez, Benjamin (14 July 2024). "Mercato : Manchester United et le Real Madrid en concurrence pour la signature de Leny Yoro". Le Parisien (in French). Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  43. ^ Ducker, James (18 July 2024). "Leny Yoro deal shows Ineos are learning from mistakes of Man Utd's past". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  44. ^ a b c d e f "Leny Yoro". FFF (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Internationaux : Yoro et Burlet victorieux, Virginius accroché". LOSC (in French). 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  46. ^ Mayen, Philippe (16 March 2023). "Tour Élite : vingt joueurs convoqués". FFF (in French). Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  47. ^ "Tanguy Kouassi forfait, Leny Yoro le remplace". L'Équipe (in French). 3 September 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  48. ^ Loyant, Richard (22 March 2024). "À réaction face la Côte d'Ivoire (3-2)". FFF (in French). Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  49. ^ Mayen, Philippe (3 June 2024). "La pré-liste pour les JO". FFF (in French). Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  50. ^ Lemaître, Clément (29 May 2024). "Paris 2024 : Le LOSC refuserait de libérer Chevalier, Yoro et Diakité pour les JO". Eurosport (in French). Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  51. ^ "Leny Yoro a reçu son baccalauréat". So Foot (in French). 24 April 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  52. ^ Leny Yoro at Soccerway
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