Diomande fulfils 'childhood dream' with Real Madrid move

Yan Diomande says his move to Real Madrid is the "fulfilment of a childhood dream" as he said farewell to RB Leipzig.

Madrid reached an agreement, reportedly worth up to €140m including add-ons, with RB Leipzig on Thursday, with Diomande signing a seven-year deal with Los Blancos.

He was the subject of huge interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool before Madrid emerged as his likely destination after just one year with Leipzig.

The 19-year-old had made just 10 appearances for Leganes before joining Leipzig at the start of last season, and he played a major role in helping the team finish third in the Bundesliga.

Diomande made 36 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig in all competitions, netting 13 goals overall, in a stunning breakout campaign.

"I am incredibly grateful to RB Leipzig. The club and the management believed in me a year ago, even though I had only played a few professional matches at that point," Diomande said in a statement on Leipzig's website.

"They placed their trust in me and gave me the opportunity to prove myself at the highest level.

"I was able to establish myself in one of the best leagues in Europe, earn my place in the Ivory Coast national team, and represent my country on the biggest stage possible, the World Cup. None of this would have been possible without RB Leipzig, and I will always be grateful for that. 

"The move to Real Madrid is the fulfilment of a childhood dream. I am all the more grateful to the management at RB Leipzig for making this transfer possible despite my existing contract.

"To the fans: Thank you so much for your incredible support from the very beginning. Your passion, your belief in me, and your support meant more to me than words can express. I will always be grateful for the love you have shown me.

"A new chapter begins. Saying goodbye is never easy, but I am looking forward to what lies ahead and will always be incredibly proud.

"Looking back on my time in Leipzig, this club will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to follow RB's progress closely. Who knows? Maybe we'll see each other again soon in the Champions League. Thank you for everything."

Diomande's tally of 13 goals came from 7.7 expected goals (xG), an overperformance of 5.3, while no Leipzig player bettered his tally of nine assists in all competitions.

He led the Bundesliga for successful dribbles (118) and take-on ending carries (104) and maintained his form through the World Cup for Ivory Coast, helping them through to the last 32.

At the tournament, he became only the second African player on record (from 1966 onwards) to complete 10+ dribbles (10) and create 10+ chances (10) in a single group-stage campaign at the competition, after South Africa's Quinton Fortune in 2002.