Leny Olivier Yoro is a French defender who plays for English Premier League giants Manchester United.
His exploits in the French Ligue 1 attracted him interest from the English club in 2024 and currently considered one of the best prospects and young centre-backs in the world.
Early Life
Leny Yoro was born on 13 November 2005 in Saint-Maurice, France and began his football career at lower-tier side UJA Maccabi Paris Métropole in Alfortville.
Leny Yoro was nurtured by French Ligue 1 club Lille and rose through the club's ranks to sign a professional contract in January 2022. He 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.
He cemented his place in the team during the 2023–24 season and made 46 appearances across all competitions for Lille before joining Manchester United for a fee of €62 million (£52.2 million), making him the most expensive player aged 18 or younger and one of the most expensive centre-backs in history.
Club Career
He started his youth playing career in France for UJA Maccabi Paris Métropole and rose through the ranks of the Lille academy before making his senior debut for the French club.
The Frenchman made 13 appearances for Lille B and played 60 matches for the Ligue 1 side’s senior team.
His breakthrough season was the 2023–24 season's campaign where Leny Yoro became a regular starter for Lille and played 32 matches out of 34 Ligue 1 matches.
On 24 August 2023, Yoro scored his first goal at the club in a 2–1 victory over HNK Rijeka, in the first leg of the 2023–24 Conference League play-off round.
A month later, he scored his first Ligue 1 goal for Lille with a cross-shot volley in a 2–2 away draw against Stade Rennes.
Following his explosive performances, at the end of the season, Yoro was nominated for the 2023–24 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and elected in the Team of the Year. He is widely considered as one of the best young prospects and a future world class stoppers.
His move to English Premier League
On 18 July 2024, Leny Yoro officially signed for Manchester United on a five-year contract running until 2029 with the option of an additional year. The move made him the most expensive player aged 18 or younger and one of the most expensive centre-backs in football history as of the year, 2024.
Manchester United beat off competitions from rivals Liverpool FC, Paris Saint Germain and La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid to acquire the signature of Yoro on a long-term contract.
International Career
Yoro represented France at under-17, under-18, under-19, under-21 and under-23 levels
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. The following year, he was called up to the France under-18 team, playing his first match against Estonia on 21 September 2022 and making five appearances in total at this level.
Yoro then played at under-19 level when he was called up for UEFA European Championship qualifying competition in 2023. He made his debut against Norway on 25 March. The same year, he quickly took a step up and was called-up to the France under-21 squad by coach Thierry Henry.
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.[46] He then played three games in the 2025 UEFA European Championship qualification.
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
Height
Yoro’s height is believed to be 1.90m, which would make him 6ft 3in.
Yoro’s preferred foot
The French man has been known to use his right foot more than his left on the ball.
Salary
Leny Yoro receives wage of £113,000 per week, rising to £145,000 per week inclusive of bonuses.
His annual salary around £5.9 million gross plus £1.7 million in possible bonus payments per season.
Personal Life
Leny Yoro is a high school graduate in management sciences. He graduated with a technological baccalaureate in April 2024.
Parents
He is the son of Alain Yoro, a former footballer of Ivorian descent who played for Lille reserve team and his mother is Flore Baugnies.
He has three siblings.
Girlfriend
Leny Yoro's relationship status is currently unknown.
Net Worth
His current net worth is estimated to be £5.2 million
