Real Madrid signs 19-year-old Diomande in club-record deal

Abdullateef Fowewe

Real Madrid has confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Ivorian winger, Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig on a seven-year contract running until June 2033, in a deal that marks a new club record.

The Spanish giants announced the agreement on Thursday, stating, “Real Madrid C.F. 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.”

The deal comes after Diomande joined Leipzig from Spanish side CD Leganés in the summer of 2025, where he quickly emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after teenagers.

The transfer is valued at around €135–140 million, including an initial payment of about €125 million plus €10–15 million in performance-related add-ons.

The package is Real Madrid’s most expensive signing, surpassing the fee paid for Jude Bellingham in 2023, which was widely reported at up to €134 million including add-ons.

Previous high-profile deals now sit below Diomande’s total package, Eden Hazard’s move from Chelsea is typically listed in the €100–115 million range, while Gareth Bale’s 2013 transfer from Tottenham is recorded at around €100–101 million.

Beyond breaking Real Madrid’s internal record, the transfer makes Diomande the most expensive African footballer ever, overtaking previous benchmarks such as Nicolas Pépé’s £72 million (€80 million) move to Arsenal in 2019.

The fee also stands as RB Leipzig’s record sale, capping a meteoric rise for a player who joined the German club for just €20 million a year earlier.

Diomande is one of several new additions overseen by manager José Mourinho and re-elected president Florentino Pérez as Real Madrid rebuild the squad for the 2026–27 season.