RB Leipzig spends big to bring in Ivorian teenager Yan Diomande

Less than four months after making his professional debut, 18-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande has completed a notable transfer to RB Leipzig following impressive performances with Spain’s CD Leganés.

 

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Wednesday’s transfer completes an astronomical rise for Diomande. Born in Abidjan and raised in the United States, Diomande only moved to Europe in January shortly after his 18th birthday after playing at American private school DME Academy in Florida.

After impressing for a Leganés team that was relegated from Spain’s top flight La Liga, Diomande is now in Leipzig after the club parted ways with €20 million euros to bring in a highly regarded talent for hte future. Diomande produced 2 goals and an assist in 10 La Liga games. His final game for Leganés featured his best performance, providing a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid.

💎 Ah bueno, Diomande 🇨🇮#LALIGAHighlights #LeganésRealValladolid pic.twitter.com/teKQxrRl3C

— C.D. Leganés (@CDLeganes) May 27, 2025

Diomande also made his debut for the Ivory Coast under-23 national team in early June, featuring in a 0-3 defeat to the Netherlands.

The teenager also previously had a trial with Scotland’s Rangers FC in October 2023 but returned to DME Academy before completing his move to Spain over a year later. Diomande is already in training with RB Leipzig as the club proceeds with pre-season training. RB Leipzig begins their preseason match schedule on Saturday with a game against lower league opposition ZFC Meuselwitz.