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Few knew of Yan Diomande before the Ivorian’s breakout campaign at RB Leipzig, but the Bundesliga’s new rising star has a lot to be thankful for after his €20m transfer from Spanish side CD Leganés last summer.
“I’m very grateful,” said Diomande, in Wednesday’s media roundtable.
“The only thing I can do to say thanks is to give everything on the pitch, and that’s what I’m trying to do every day,” added the Ivorian winger, who has struck 12 goals and provided eight assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances in 2025/26.
From playing Florida’s DME Academy for associate team AS Frenzi, Diomande also trained with Colorado Rapids and Charlotte FC but wanted to play in Europe. As such, the youngster’s move to Leipzig came via trials at Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Rangers before signing with Leganés, where he spent six months before his move to Germany.
“They [Leipzig] did a lot for me,” he added. “Most people can only see what happens on the pitch, but the club has helped me so much with my family and my mum.”
Diomande’s performances helped secure Leipzig’s return to UEFA Champions League football after beating St. Pauli 2-1 on Matchday 33 but despite reported interest from Europe’s biggest clubs such as Real Madrid and Liverpool, among others, the 19-year-old is focused on his current employers.
“I don’t think about it too much because my focus is on the pitch, my job is playing football, that takes care of everything,” said Diomande, who possesses explosive speed, neat dribbling and an eye for goal. “It gives me a lot of motivation to see people talking about me.”
Despite holding a contract until 2030, though, nothing is guaranteed. “Everything can happen in football,” added Diomande, who will play against Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
