Leny Yoro came through Lille’s academy and made his first-team debut at 16. By his second senior season he was a first-choice centre-back in Ligue 1 and was named in the league’s team of the year.
Several of Europe’s biggest clubs tried to sign him in 2024, including Real Madrid, but he chose Manchester United, who paid around £52 million. He is tall, quick and calm on the ball, and United see him as a long-term cornerstone of their defence.
Yoro has represented France at youth level.
Playing style
Yoro is a tall, quick centre-back who is calm on the ball. He reads the game well, is strong in the air and can play out from the back with either short passes or longer balls. His maturity at a young age impressed many of Europe’s top clubs: he became a regular in Ligue 1 as a teenager and was named in the league’s team of the season. A foot injury delayed his start at United, but he has since shown why the club see him as a future leader of their defence. His composure in possession is unusual for a defender of his age.
International career
Yoro has represented France at youth level, including at the Under-21 level, and is regarded as one of the country’s most promising defenders.
Career in numbers
Yoro’s senior club career, which began in 2021/22, has so far brought 130 appearances and 4 goals for 2 clubs. The 2023/24 season, with 3 goals from 44 matches for Lille, remains his highest tally. So far in 2026/27 he has made 4 appearances for Manchester United. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.