RB Leipzig have confirmed the signing of promising Ivorian winger Yan Diomande on a contract running until 2030, as the Bundesliga side continues to build its future around emerging international talent.
The 18-year-old arrives from Spanish outfit CD Leganés, where he made an instant impact during the second half of the 2024–25 season.
Diomande, who will wear the number 49 shirt, is the latest addition to Leipzig’s youth-focused recruitment strategy, one that has seen the German club consistently invest in players with high developmental ceilings and raw potential.
Trained partly in the United States, Diomande first caught attention during the USPL finals, where he earned accolades as both top scorer and best player.
His performances led to a swift move to Leganés in January 2025. Though relatively unknown at the time, it took just a few weeks for the teenager to break into the first team.
His professional debut came on 29 March 2025 against Real Madrid — a baptism of fire in Spanish football.
In 10 La Liga appearances, Diomande scored two goals and registered one assist, a solid return for a player still adapting to top-tier European football. Standing at 1.80 metres, he is known for his physical strength, explosive pace, and technical ability.
His work rate on both ends of the pitch, coupled with his knack for winning individual duels, has already made him a standout figure in his age group.
RB Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. “With Yan Diomande, we’ve secured a top prospect.
He’s fast, dynamic, has exceptional dribbling skills, and a strong eye for goal. He works hard for the team and brings the kind of energy and mentality that fits our playing philosophy.
We’re delighted he’s chosen our project,” Schäfer stated.
The German club, known for nurturing young talent before launching them into the footballing spotlight, views Diomande as a long-term investment.
While the plan is not to rush his development, expectations are high for the Ivorian winger to gradually integrate into the senior squad, with a support system designed to foster growth and adaptability.
Speaking after the announcement, Diomande expressed his excitement about the new chapter. “It’s a huge honour to join a club like RB Leipzig.
There are so many examples of young players who’ve grown here and reached the top level. The style of play—fast, attacking, and team-oriented—matches my strengths.
I’m really looking forward to meeting my teammates and getting started,” he said.
The transfer also serves as another milestone in the growing presence of African talent in Europe’s top leagues.
Diomande’s rise from youth football in the United States to La Liga, and now the Bundesliga, is emblematic of the increasingly global pathways being forged by young African players and their diasporas.
His journey reflects both the global scouting reach of European clubs and the widening opportunities for players emerging from non-traditional routes.
Leipzig’s track record suggests Diomande will have every opportunity to develop within a competitive, structured environment tailored to emerging talent.
As Bundesliga preparations begin in earnest, the Ivorian winger is poised to take his next steps in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues.
With eyes from across Africa watching his progress, Yan Diomande’s arrival in Leipzig represents not just a new chapter for the player—but a symbol of a new generation striving to make its mark at the highest level of the game.
RB Leipzig verpflichtet Yan #Diomande 🤝
Der 18-jährige Ivorer wechselt vom spanischen Club @CDLeganes zu den Roten Bullen und unterschreibt einen Vertrag bis 2030 ✍️
Willkommen in Leipzig, Yan 💪
— RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) July 16, 2025
