Leny Yoro
Agent, Salary, Contract, Club and Profile
France €50mm
Key Facts
Date of birth: 13.11.2005
Nationality: France
Current club: Manchester United
Position: Centre-Back
Height: 1.90m
Current market value: €50mm
Represented by: Gestifute
Main agent: Jorge Mendes
Reported salary: £6.24m gross per year
Contract expires: 30.06.2029
Contract option: Additional year
About
Leny Yoro is a French centre-back who plays for Manchester United and represents France at U21 level. A tall, composed and technically strong defender, he is regarded as one of the leading young centre-backs of his generation.
Yoro developed through Lille’s academy and made his senior breakthrough while still only 16. His performances in Ligue 1 quickly attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, with his combination of size, mobility and maturity making him a standout prospect.
Manchester United signed him in July 2024 in a major investment for a teenage defender. His first months in England were interrupted by a foot injury suffered during preseason, but he returned in December 2024 and gradually established himself within the first-team defensive rotation.
At international level, Yoro has represented France across the youth pathway and is currently part of the France U21 setup. He remains one of the strongest candidates from his age group to progress into the senior national team.
Representation
Agency: Gestifute
Main representative: Jorge Mendes
Agency founder: Jorge Mendes
Headquarters: Portugal
Jurisdiction: Portugal and international markets
FIFA licence status: FIFA-licensed football agent
Linked with Yoro since: His Lille breakthrough period
Also represents: Rúben Dias, Vitinha, João Neves, Bernardo Silva and Manuel Ugarte
Related agency page: Gestifute
Yoro is represented by Gestifute, the international football agency founded by Jorge Mendes.
Mendes and his team were involved during the period in which Yoro emerged at Lille and became one of the most sought-after young defenders in European football.
Gestifute also has strong connections within Manchester United’s squad and wider Premier League market, giving Yoro access to one of football’s most established international representation networks.
Career timeline
2011: Joined UJA Alfortville
2012: Moved to Villeneuve d’Ascq
2017: Joined Lille’s academy
2021/22: Progressed rapidly through Lille’s youth teams
May 2022: Made his senior Lille debut at 16
2022/23: Began establishing himself within the first-team squad
2023/24: Became a regular Ligue 1 starter
2023/24: Developed into one of Europe’s highest-rated young centre-backs
2024: Represented France at U21 level
July 2024: Joined Manchester United
July 2024: Suffered a foot injury during preseason
December 2024: Made his competitive Manchester United debut
2024/25: Became increasingly important during Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League campaign
May 2025: Started the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur
2025/26: Continued his development as part of Manchester United’s senior defensive rotation
2026/27: Remained a first-team option at centre-back while continuing with France U21
Transfer history
2017 – Villeneuve d’Ascq to Lille academy – Youth transfer
2022 – Lille academy to first team – Promoted to the senior squad
2024 – Lille to Manchester United – Permanent transfer – Reported initial fee: approximately €62m, potentially rising to around €70m with bonuses – Contract until June 2029 with an option for a further year
Yoro’s rise at Lille was exceptionally fast. He became a senior player while still 16 and was already a regular Ligue 1 defender before turning 18.
His performances attracted interest from clubs including Real Madrid, but Manchester United moved decisively to secure him in the summer of 2024.
The transfer made Yoro one of the most expensive teenage defenders in football history and reflected United’s belief that he could develop into a long-term cornerstone of their defence.
Playing profile
Yoro is a right-footed centre-back whose profile combines height, mobility and strong technical ability.
At 1.90m, he has the size to compete aerially but is also comfortable defending large spaces. His acceleration allows him to recover quickly when the defensive line is broken.
One of his biggest strengths is his composure in possession. Yoro can receive under pressure and play forward rather than immediately choosing a safe lateral pass.
He is particularly effective stepping out from the defensive line. His reading of the game allows him to intercept passes and engage attackers before they can turn.
Yoro also shows strong one-on-one defensive ability. He remains balanced when facing quick attackers and generally avoids committing too early into tackles.
His tactical maturity is advanced for his age. He has already gained experience in Ligue 1, the Premier League and European competition and has shown the ability to adapt to different defensive structures.
Key strengths
Defensive anticipation
Recovery pace
One-on-one defending
Progressive passing
Composure in possession
Aerial ability
High-line defending
Positional awareness
Ball carrying from defence
Interceptions
Physical potential
High long-term potential
