Real Madrid have completed the signing of Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
The protracted transfer saga came to an end on Thursday with the official announcement of Diomande’s arrival at Real Madrid by the Spanish La Liga club.
Diomande has signed a seven-year contract and will be with the club till 2033.
According to reports, Diomande joins Real Madrid for a fee up to €140 million including add-ons to become the most expensive African player ever.
He surpassed the €80 million paid by Arsenal for Nicholas Pepe, his Ivoirian compatriot. His total transfer fee package also means the 19 years old winger becomes the most expensive Real Madrid signing ever, surpassing the €133 million paid for Jude Bellingham in 2023.
He becomes the fourth most-expensive footballer in history, behind the trio of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’s PSG transfers, and Alexander Isak’s Liverpool deal.
Real Madrid beat the interest of PSG who backed out due to high transfer fee to sign Diomande, and Liverpool to seal the former Leganes player’s signature.
Diomande, who featured in all four Ivory Coast’s 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, joins Real Madrid after only his first full season in Europe.
He left Leganes for RB Leipzig in 2025, and registered 12 goals and eight assists in the season to win the German Bundesliga’s Young Player of the Season.
He is the sixth Real Madrid so far this summer, and will play under fiery new manager Jose Mourinho.
