Real Madrid signed 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig on a seven-year contract for around 130 million euros plus variables on Wednesday. The agreement keeps the Ivorian international linked to the Spanish club until June 30, 2033, making him the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history.
Diomande, who turns 20 on November 14, is the sixth player to join Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. His arrival follows earlier deals for Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Dumfries, Konate, and Carlos Espí. Diomande left Leipzig pre-season training after his holidays to fly to Madrid, complete a medical examination, and sign his contract.
Paris Saint-Germain attempted to sign Diomande, but the winger insisted on joining Real Madrid. The transfer completes a goal Diomande set 496 days after making his professional debut at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on March 29, 2025.
Leipzig Season and World Cup Performance
Leipzig recruited Diomande from CD Leganes for 20 million euros one year ago. In his single season in Germany, the winger scored 13 goals in 36 matches across all competitions for RB Leipzig.
Diomande represented Ivory Coast at the World Cup in the United States, recording 361 minutes of playing time. He delivered 21 crosses into the area, the highest total on his team, and provided one assist. Diomande was the third most used player for Ivory Coast at the tournament, behind goalkeeper Fofana and midfielder Kessie.
Scouting at Leganes and Bernabeu Debut
Leganes owner Jeff Lunhow first discovered Diomande through one of the club academies in Africa. When Diomande was under 18, Lunhow showed video footage to then Leganes coach Borja Jimenez and told him that the club possessed the future Messi.
Leganes waited until Diomande reached legal majority to sign him for their reserve team. Jimenez first observed Diomande during a friendly match between the first team and the reserves. Diomande scored a goal into the top corner within his first six plays, prompting Jimenez to ask the reserve coach to substitute him so senior players would not kick him.
Jimenez brought Diomande to main team training the following day and included him in the squad to play Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 29, 2025. Diomande entered four minutes from the end, sprinted past Valverde, and nearly won a penalty in a 3-2 win for Real Madrid. Diomande swapped shirts with Kylian Mbappe after the match, and a little over ten months later became Mbappe attacking partner.
Diomande played ten matches for Leganes before the club was relegated. Jimenez stated that if Diomande had arrived in January instead of March, Leganes would have finished in Conference League qualification spots rather than suffering relegation. Jimenez added that interested clubs hesitated at the 20 million euro asking price, despite his warning that Diomande would soon be worth double or triple that amount.
