Yan Diomande’s record move to Real Madrid now has the player’s own voice behind it. In a Diomande farewell letter posted to Instagram after Thursday’s confirmation, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger called the switch from RB Leipzig a “childhood dream come true” — and thanked the German club for making it possible.
The message capped an eventful day at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Los Blancos announced both Vinícius Júnior’s contract renewal and Diomande’s arrival on a deal until 2033. As Madrid Universal reported, Diomande becomes the most expensive signing in the club’s history, with the package put at an initial €125m rising toward a reported €140m with variables. In his note he was careful to pay tribute to the club that developed him, crediting Leipzig for believing in him “a year ago” when he had “only played a few professional matches.”
What the Diomande farewell letter revealed
“Moving to Real Madrid is a childhood dream come true for me,” Diomande wrote. “I am all the more grateful to the management at RB Leipzig for making this move possible despite my current contract.” He added that Leipzig had allowed him to “establish myself in one of Europe’s top leagues” and to represent Côte d’Ivoire at the World Cup — milestones he said would not have been possible without them.
Now the teenager turns to the next chapter: earning his place in José Mourinho’s attack alongside Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Follow our Yan Diomande coverage as pre-season builds toward the new campaign.
