New Delhi: Manchester United on Saturday completed the signing of young Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon. The 18-year-old, who is United’s second signing of the summer after Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha, joins the Red Devils from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno, where he displayed his talent and potential to catch the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
United had agreed a deal for the left-back last year, but had to wait for him to turn 18 in April this year to officially sign him as a first-team player. Leon rose through the youth ranks at Cerro Porteno before making his first-team debut at the age of 17 last year. He made waves with his talent at Cerro Porteno, which is one of the two biggest clubs in the Paraguayan top flight.
Leon’s potential can be gauged from the fact that he turned heads at the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United despite just being 17 last year. United swooped in first and managed to formalise the signing of the prodigious defender, who is touted to become a future star.
Leon’s talent was first spotted by Ceroo’s former head coach Manolo Jimenez, a Sevilla legend and a former left-back for Spain. Jimenez witnessed Leon in action for Ceroo’s youth teams and the academy and decided to promote him to the first team ahead of last season. Only 17 at the time, Leon was far from a household name at the club and Paraguayan fans had little idea of him as a player.
Leon went on to shine on his debut against Sport Ameliano and scored the only goal for his club in the game. There was no looking back as the youngster quickly cemented his spot in the first team. Leon played 33 matches for Cerro Porteno across competitions last season and scored four goals before moving to Manchester United.
What to expect from Diego Leon at Manchester United?
Leon might just be 18, but he has the exciting profile of an athletic full-back who likes venturing forward and has a great attacking game. While there is significant scope for improvement as far as his defensive game is concerned, much to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim’s liking, Leon can operate as both a left-back and a left wing-back, making him an ideal fit for the manager’s current system.
Jimenez, who promoted Leon to Cerro Porteno’s first team last year and oversaw his development, described the 18-year-old as a prodigy with incredible potential.
“I saw his strength and quality and threw him into the first team. Physically, he’s a prodigy. He has incredible potential, with a strong attacking game and the capacity to score goals,” he said about Leon.
Leon idolises Real Madrid legend Marcelo and has modelled his game on the former Brazil left-back, who is arguably one of the best attacking full-backs the game has ever seen. Like Marcelo, Leon can make smooth forward runs and curl dangerous crosses into the box, while also helping the forwards in link-up play.
Diego Leon, remember the name of my fucking LB, the #PL isn’t ready #mufcpic.twitter.com/OENcVDCv9F
— Yanited Reds ♥️ (@yanitted) July 3, 2025
However, his defensive side is not solid, and the coaching staff at United will have to work with the 18-year-old on that front to help him bridge the gap to the first team as quickly as possible. Leon might not be ready for the first team yet, and even when he does, he will face intense competition as United have Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu – two senior left-backs in the first team.
United in their statement have already mentioned that Leon’s growth will be supported by both the academy and the first team, hinting that the 18-year-old is still a work in progress. Leon has witnessed a remarkable rise to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world at 18, however, he has a long way to go if he has to win the fans at Old Trafford and become a household name at the club.