Yan Diomande, 19, signs a seven-year contract with Real Madrid after transferring from RB Leipzig.

Real Madrid has officially announced the acquisition of Yan Diomande, a promising forward from the Ivory Coast, who joins the club on a seven-year contract from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The announcement was made on Thursday via the club's social media platform, X. The 19-year-old player made a notable impact during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, contributing one assist in four matches for his national team.

In a statement, Real Madrid confirmed, “Real Madrid CF and RB Leipzig have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Yan Diomande, who will be linked to our club for the next seven seasons, until June 30, 2033.” Reports from Spanish media suggest that the transfer fee is a record-breaking 140 million euros (approximately $161 million), which includes performance-related bonuses. However, Real Madrid did not disclose the exact financial details of the deal.

Real Madrid successfully outmaneuvered both Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in securing Diomande's signature. PSG withdrew from the bidding process due to concerns regarding the hefty transfer fee, while Liverpool had an earlier offer turned down in June. Diomande's impressive performance in the Bundesliga last season, where he scored 12 goals and provided eight assists, made him a highly sought-after talent. He played a total of 36 competitive matches for Leipzig, netting 13 goals and assisting 10 times.

Expressing his gratitude, Diomande stated, “I am incredibly grateful to RB Leipzig. The club and the management believed in me a year ago, even though I had only played a few professional matches at that point. They placed their trust in me and gave me the opportunity to prove myself at the highest level.” He acknowledged that his time at Leipzig allowed him to establish himself in one of Europe’s top leagues and earn a place in the Ivory Coast national team, culminating in his participation in the World Cup.

He further remarked, “The move to Real Madrid is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. I am all the more grateful to the management at RB Leipzig for making this transfer possible despite my existing contract.” Diomande becomes the sixth player to join Real Madrid this summer, following the signings of Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Espi. The club is undergoing a significant transformation under the leadership of veteran coach Jose Mourinho, who has returned for a second stint, as they aim to bounce back after two seasons without a major trophy. Additionally, Real Madrid is reportedly interested in Manchester City midfielder Rodri as they continue to reshape their squad.