Manchester United fans will get a chance to see new signing Diego Leon during pre-season this summer.
It was confirmed on Saturday that Diego Leon has signed for Manchester United in a £3.2 million deal from Paraguayan outfit Cerro Porteno. The deal could potentially rise to £7m depending on bonuses achieved over the coming years.
After Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves earlier this summer, Leon was United’s second major signing of the summer, although the deal with Cerro Porteno was agreed in January.
Ahead of his move to Old Trafford, Leon has stressed his willingness to impress in pre-season because he wants to avoid going on loan next season. That means the 18-year-old is aiming to fight for his place at United, even though the Red Devils signed Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in January.
Leon started pre-season training with United on Monday morning and could make his debut against Leeds in Stockholm later this month.
Tim Vickery rates Man Utd signing Diego Leon
United have been linked with many South American players this summer.
Former River Plate ace Franco Mastantuono snubbed United to join Real Madrid in a deal worth £38m, but United made sure in January that they secured Leon’s signature.
South American football expert Tim Vickery believes Leon is one for the future.
Prior to Leon’s move to United, he made 33 senior appearances for Cerro Porteno, scoring four goals.
Vickery believes Leon will play as a wing-back under Amorim, but has urged United to be patient with the youngster’s development because he is not ready to make an immediate impact.
The BBC journalist also stressed that Leon must improve defensively.
“There isn’t a great deal behind him yet – he’s one for the long term,” Vickery told BBC Radio Manchester. “He’s a strapping figure but happier as an attacking left-back, so in United’s system he’s much more a wing-back than a member of the back three.
“He’s not yet someone who his club sees as a decisive player in Paraguayan league football – so I suspect United fans will have to be with this one for the long haul.
“They have to bring him along carefully, there’ll be a lot of work. He’ll need some flogging on the training ground, especially the defensive side of things, and it is unlikely he is going to make an immediate impact.
“He is much more potential than he is reality. I like his physicality, his left foot and the fact he can go outside and cross, but he can also get in the penalty area on the diagonal and there is a goal in him.”
Five facts about Diego Leon
Here are five interesting facts about United’s new signing Leon:
- Diego Leon was born in Colonia Yguazu, Paraguay.
- Leon joined Cerro Porteno’s academy at U14 level.
- The left wing-back averages a goal contribution every 659 minutes.
- Leon is the first Paraguayan to sign for Manchester United.
- Ruben Amorim’s first signing as United head coach was Leon.
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