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Manchester United is pleased to announce that Paraguayan left-back Diego León has successfully completed his medical examination in Manchester. The 17-year-old talent from Cerro Porteño is set to officially join the club in July 2025 upon turning 18.
The agreement between Manchester United and Cerro Porteño includes a base fee of $4 million, with additional performance-based incentives. These comprise $1 million in easily attainable add-ons and up to $3.5 million in more challenging bonuses, potentially elevating the total transfer value to $8.5 million.
Diego Basilio León Blanco, born on April 3, 2007, in Colonia Yguazú, Paraguay, has rapidly emerged as one of South America’s most promising football talents. Standing at 1.81 meters, León operates primarily as a left-back or left wing-back and is known for his physical strength, speed, technical skills, and offensive capabilities. He joined Cerro Porteño’s youth academy at the under-14 level and made his senior debut on August 2, 2024, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Sportivo Ameliano.
In his debut season, León accumulated 19 league appearances and netted two goals, attracting interest from top clubs across Europe. His performances have drawn comparisons to other young South American talents and have been highlighted in international reports.
The transfer was orchestrated by Manchester United’s technical director, Jason Wilcox, following extensive scouting by Giuseppe Antonaccio, the club’s lead talent scout in South America. Due to FIFA regulations prohibiting international transfers of players under 18, León will remain with Cerro Porteño until July 2025, when he reaches the eligible age.
Manchester United’s management expressed enthusiasm about León’s future integration into the squad. “Diego León is a remarkable young talent with significant potential. We are confident that his addition will strengthen our defensive lineup and contribute to the team’s success in the coming seasons,” stated a club spokesperson.
After completing his medical, León is scheduled to return to Paraguay on Tuesday to continue his development with Cerro Porteño. He will join Manchester United for pre-season training in July 2025, aligning with the club’s preparations for the 2025/2026 season.
