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Manchester United have confirmed the signing of 18-year-old left-sided defender Diego Leon.
‘Delighted to announce’: Man United confirm second summer signing in surprise Saturday morning update
The Paraguayan youth international makes the move from his homeland club, Cerro Porteño.
United have agreed a deal worth £3.3m, which could rise to £7m with add-ons. Leon will be assessed during pre-season before the club decides on his immediate future.
Although he was signed during the winter transfer window, the move couldn’t be finalised at the time due to his age. He’s now arrived in England and ready to get started.
Despite his young age, the talented full-back has already made 35 senior appearances for Cerro Porteño, chipping in with 4 goals.
Leon becomes United’s second summer signing, following the £62.5m arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
For his boyhood club, the young defender already boasts an impressive 33 senior appearances with four goals to his name.
It’s been expected that Leon would be sent on loan in the 2025/2026 season to gain more first-team experience, but he has his sights set on breaking into Ruben Amorim’s squad.
When flying to M16 this week, he told reporters: “Everyone thinks I’ll go out on loan, but I don’t have that mindset. I’m going to kill it in pre-season and within one or two games, I’ll already be playing with them.”
It’s that kind of mindset that can quickly set a player aside from his counterparts when vying for game time, and the United faithful will be delighted to hear such an impassioned declaration from their new prospect.
Leon signs just in time for pre-season
In regards to the transfer fee, INEOS chiefs will fork out an upfront payment of £3.2 million, while the overall sum could rise as high as £7m with add-ons later down the line.
Amorim’s men are due to report back for pre-season training on Monday before they travel to Switzerland for a clash with longtime rivals – and Premier League returnees – Leeds United on July 17, after which they will embark on a pre-season tour in the United States.
It’ll be worth keeping an eye on what kind of role Leon plays from now until the end of the summer break.