Diomande credits Mourinho for Real Madrid move | OneFootball

Yan Diomande has credited José Mourinho as a key influence behind his switch to Real Madrid. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger arrives after one season at RB Leipzig on a 125 million euros deal plus 15 million in add-ons, signing through 2033.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he has already joined training with the squad and will wear number 25, thanking the coach and the club for their faith.

Diomande said he spoke with Mourinho before the move and that the manager’s words weighed heavily in his decision. He added that he is at Madrid because of the coach and the club and is happy to be there.

Explaining his choice, he described Madrid as the best club in the world and said you cannot refuse when they call. He also highlighted the thrill of sharing a dressing room with players he once watched on television.

He acknowledged the step up in demands, saying life at Madrid is tougher and requires extra work, which he is trying to do. He admitted he is a little shy and wants to learn the team’s dynamics to help the group.

The forward completed his first session on Monday alongside several internationals returning from the World Cup. Mourinho left him out of the Teresa Herrera Trophy squad to face Deportivo, so his debut will wait. His target for year one is to help the team win everything.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”