RB Leipzig attacking phenom Yan Diomande (18) discusses fascinating multi-continental professional journey in interview | OneFootball

New RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande’s lack of punctuality caused him to miss out a chance to start for his Bundesliga club this weekend. Commenting on the matter after the match, RB head coach Ole Werner was quick to emphasize that there would be no consequences. Leipzig are prepared to exercise patience with the 18-year-old. Interestingly enough, patience isn’t something the teenage talent lists as one of his stronger suits.

“I have time and I’m young,” Diomande remarked in a recent interview with transfermarkt.de. “But, I’m also impatient because I want to be among the best. I also need to work on my dribbling, my passing, and my defense, as well as improve my teamwork.“

Despite his young age, Diomande’s professional journey has already brought him to a diverse range of geographical locales. Born in Cote d’Ivoire’s former capital and largest city Abidjan, Diomande moved to the United States at a very young age. Growing up in Florida, he honed his skills both at a private academy and American high school.

“I went to the USA to study and play football,” Diomande noted in the transfermarkt interview. “I tried out for a few [MLS] teams like the Colorado Rapids and Charlotte FC, but it didn’t work out. I eventually realized that [the USA] wasn’t quite right for me. Football doesn’t have the same status there as basketball or American football.”

Diomande ultimately gleaned valuable experience in a private sporting academy in Daytona Beach, the Yulee High School varsity team, and AS Frenzi of the United Premier Soccer League. There was also a brief audition with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. The youngster emphasized that he had learned a lot from such experiences, even if they didn’t end up working out.

“I was far away from my family and it was difficult to live alone,” Diomande said. “I had to learn to control my emotions. Now I’m more relaxed and can cope better with being far away from home. That helps me here at RB Leipzig.“

Before the summer transfer window brought him to Germany, Diomande travelled to Spain in order to fully begin his professional career with La Liga outfit CD Leganes. That too, proved an immensely helpful experience for him. Last may, his performances in the Spanish top division led to him being able to represent his native country at the highest youth level.

“In Spain, it’s more about spending time on the ball,” Diomande said when commenting on that particular chapter. “In Spain, I only had to worry about playing football, but here I have to go to the gym. You have to push yourself harder on the pitch. I go to the gym to get stronger because it’s much more physical here.”

Leipzig and the Bundesliga have thus far proven a very good fit for Diomande. As soon as German footballing journalists began to scout the young talent RB paid €20m to acquire (despite a €1.5m estimated market worth) in training camp, it quickly became apparent that something special was brewing. Diomande scored in the opening round Pokal fixture and has started under Ole Werner in three of the club’s six Bundesliga fixtures.

Even though reporting late cost him a start against Borussia Dortmund last Saturday, Diomande made an excellent impression off the bench. The left-winger’s progress on the national level also continues apace thanks to a call-up to the Ivorian senior men’s national team during the current October international break.

Diomande will serve alongside Bundesliga veteran Sebastien Haller and Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Touré on the roster of the defending African continental champions. If he’s able to make an excellent impression, Diomande will get a chance to help Cote d’Ivoire defend their title at AFCON 2025 this January.

“It’s great to be on the senior team,” Diomande noted in his interview. “I’m proud because that was my dream. A very big dream. I always wanted to play for my country in the senior national team and today I’m there. I’m very excited.

“Leipzig was the best option for me,” Diomande added of his current club station. “Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba are my favorite teammates. We challenge each other. They may be defenders, but they challenge me in training and make me a better player. I like that about them.

“We have a young team that has undergone many changes this summer,” Diomande said of the Leipzig project in general. “Our collective goal is to qualify for European competition. My ultimate personal goal is the Champions League. I came to Leipzig to play in the Champions League. That’s why I’m here.”

GGFN | Peter Weis