Leny Yoro will be given the shirt number of Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic after completing a £52m transfer
Leny Yoro will wear Nemanja Vidic's legendary number 15 shirt after completing his transfer to Manchester United.
The 18-year-old has completed a £52million move to Old Trafford after signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year.
That signing from Lille makes Yoro the fifth most expensive teenager in history, just ahead of the £51m United paid for a then-19-year-old Anthony Martial in 2015.
The measure represents a major boost following the interest of real Madridwith the French star hoping to follow in Vidic's footsteps.
Vidic joined Manchester United in December 2006 for just £7m and went on to make 300 appearances for the Red Devils, winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League in eight years at the club.
He also formed one of the Premier League's most formidable partnerships with Rio Ferdinand.
Signing as a relatively unknown player, Vidic's story will be a huge inspiration for Yoro, who expressed his delight after completing his transfer on Thursday night.
Following the completion of the move, Yoro told the club's website: “To sign for a club of the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour. From my earliest conversations with the club, they have laid out a clear plan on how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and have shown a lot of affection for me and my family.
“I know the history of young players at Manchester United and I feel that this could be the perfect place for me to fulfil my potential and ambitions alongside my new team-mates. I can’t wait to get started.”
Manchester United Sporting Director Dan Ashworth said: “Leny is one of the most promising young defenders in world football; he possesses all the attributes needed to develop into a top-class centre-back. Having made an excellent start to his career, we are excited to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.
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“This club has a fantastic track record of developing young players, whether they come through the academy or from elsewhere, and giving them the guidance, time and patience needed to grow and thrive. With Erik ten Hag and our excellent staff, we will ensure that Leny has the perfect platform to achieve the success that everyone at the club yearns for.”
Yoro was even greeted by a message from Vidic's fellow defender Ferdinand, who said via video: “Leny! Leny! Leny! How are you bro?
“Listen, congratulations, man. Welcome to Manchester United. I wish you all the best.
“I know you're going to work hard and that's the secret, man: work hard, work hard, work, work, work on all parts of your game.
“You have all the potential and all the tools; you have everything and you are ready to give your best and make a big impact on this club.
“It's the best club in the world, it's a beautiful place to be, so go and have fun, man. See you soon. Good luck.”
Yoro's signing means United are now unlikely to remain interested in Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite after Having two rejected offers for the £70m England international.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is on the hunt for a new defender after Raphael Varane left earlier in the summer and Harry Maguire is in the final year of his contract, although there is an option to extend the England defender's deal by a year.
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It was a tough season defensively for Manchester United, who conceded 58 Premier League goals last season, one more than they scored.
Yoro becomes Manchester United's second signing of the summer, after agreeing to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for 36 million pounds.
Yoro's first competitive game could be the Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday 16 August, exclusively live on talkSPORT.
