He played for just one season and captivated not only the Bundesliga but, it seems, the entire soccer world. Yan Diomande’s time at RB Leipzig is now history after just one year. The unknown player, who moved to Saxony at age 18 from Spanish second-division club CD Leganés for a hefty transfer fee of 20 million euros, will now be a Real Madrid player and will play alongside numerous world-class stars through 2033. Real Madrid paid around 125 million euros for the deal, plus additional payments and bonuses that could quickly bring the total value to about 135 million euros, according to insider reports
“We’re proud that Yan has attracted significant international attention thanks to his strong performances at RB Leipzig,” said RB Managing Director Marcel Schäfer. “This shows the kind of development young, hungry, and promising players can achieve with us.”
Diomande and RB—it was a success story and a win-win situation in every respect. Initially intended as a backup on the right wing, the Ivorian demonstrated with incredible ball control and speed in his dribbling that a truly great talent had arrived in the Bundesliga. He quickly became a starter and struck fear into the hearts of opposing defenses. He has 33 Bundesliga appearances, 12 goals, and nine assists to his credit. In the DFB-Pokal, he made three appearances, scored once, and set up another goal. An impressive record.
