Yan Diomande misses first Real Madrid training after RB Leipzig move

Yan Diomande was unable to take part in his first training session as a Real Madrid player after spending Friday morning completing administrative procedures and official paperwork.

Real Madrid announced on Thursday that they had signed the Ivorian player from RB Leipzig. However, Diomande’s arrival at the club has not yet been followed by his first appearance on the training ground.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the 19-year-old’s absence was linked to the time he needed to finish several formalities connected with his move. The delay means he is not expected to be part of Real Madrid’s travelling party for their trip to Budapest.

Diomande’s absence from the squad has not been confirmed definitively. However, all indications suggest manager Jose Mourinho will be unable to select the new signing for Real Madrid’s friendly against Ferencvarosi.

The match will therefore come too soon for Diomande to begin his on-field involvement with his new club, despite Real Madrid having confirmed the transfer a day earlier. His first training session and potential debut will have to wait until the outstanding procedures have been completed.

Mourinho will, however, be able to call on another of Real Madrid’s headline players for the journey. Vinicius Junior, who recently renewed his contract with the club, is expected to travel with the squad.

The inclusion of Vinicius Junior provides Mourinho with one of his established stars for the friendly, while Diomande remains unavailable as the final administrative details of his move from RB Leipzig are completed.

Real Madrid’s decision to announce the signing on Thursday had raised the possibility that Diomande could quickly join his new team, but the paperwork required on Friday prevented him from taking part in the opening training session. His absence from the Budapest-bound group is consequently regarded as the natural outcome of the unfinished formalities.

Although the club has not formally ruled Diomande out of the match against Ferencvarosi, the current expectation is that Mourinho will not have the opportunity to use him. The uncertainty surrounding his availability remains, but the information reported by AS points towards the new signing missing the friendly.

For now, Diomande’s first steps as a Real Madrid player have been limited to completing the necessary procedures away from the training pitch. The club’s announcement has been made, but his first session with the team and his first possible appearance will come at a later stage.