The background to our latest signing

The background to our latest signing

Diego Leon made such a splash in Paraguay that he has earned a move to Manchester United, while still only 18 years old.

The left-sided defender, who is comfortable as a wing-back, was confirmed as our second summer signing over the weekend.

After impressing scouts with his performances for Cerro Porteno, he is on course to be the first Paraguayan to represent the Reds.

Born in Colonia Yguazu, the youngest of nine children, his mother spoke about how he would play with a ball made of rolled-up cloth as they could not afford a proper one, when revealing her son predicted as a five-year-old that he would play for Cerro, one of the nation’s leading sides.

He fulfilled that ambition, as a 13-year-old, and was top scorer at youth levels, despite often operating at full-back.

A top-flight debut against Ameliano was marked with the winning goal, to accelerate the rise to prominence of the energetic youngster.

“I honestly had the feeling I would score,” he said afterwards, with his header proving decisive in a 1-0 victory.

A powerful physical performer, the youngster quickly racked up 33 senior appearances for his club, and played nine times at the Under-20 South American Championship earlier this year. He found the net in the game against Argentina and will have learned much from the experience.

Cerro Porteno coach Manolo Jimenez’s response to Leon’s suggestion that he looked up to Brazil defender Marcelo as a role model, was to throw a former United favourite into the mix.

“I hope, one day, we can say he’s had a career similar to Marcelo’s,” he said. “Or, if he signs for United, to what Patrice Evra had at Old Trafford.”

There is, obviously, the need for patience with Leon’s progress, as he integrates into a new environment in Manchester, but he has the sort of ambition and potential that mark him out as an exciting capture.

Welcome to United, Diego!

Recommended:

• Welcome, Diego!

   Gallery

  View these exclusive images of United’s latest signing touring Old Trafford.

Back to Top