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<p>Exclusive Interview</p>
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<img alt="Exclusive interview: Who is RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande?" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/yan-diomande-rb-leipzig-1759553940-179428.jpg" title="Exclusive interview: Who is RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande?">
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<p>RB Leipzig's director of sport, Marcel Schäfer, shared his thoughts on Yan Diomande, stating, “He certainly embodies the profile we seek. His six-month stint in Spain showcased impressive performances. We focus on players with physical prowess, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. Yan is a remarkable talent with immense potential.” This perspective made it easy for Leipzig to agree to CD Leganés' €20 million asking price for the 18-year-old Ivorian winger last summer, significantly higher than his €1.5m market value. Since then, Diomande's market worth has surged to €45m, garnering attention from several top European clubs in the Transfermarkt Rumor Mill.</p>
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<p>Diomande has quickly emerged as a star in the Bundesliga and is now making his mark for Ivory Coast at AFCON. For many, his transfer came as a surprise, and a look at Diomande's Transfermarkt profile reveals an unconventional career path. At just 18, he moved to the United States with aspirations of turning professional. “In 2022, I joined the U17 junior national team but was too young to play for a professional club,” Diomande recounted. “So, I traveled to the United States for studies and football training. I trialed with a few teams, including Colorado Rapids and Charlotte FC, but those didn’t work out. When I turned 18, I returned to Europe and signed with Leganés.”</p>
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<p>During his time in the US, Diomande represented the DME Academy and Yulee Hornets High School. He was named STARI Player of the Year in 2023 and played a key role in AS Frenzi winning the 2023 United Premier Soccer League title. “I was unfamiliar with football in the United States,” Diomande admitted. “I sought more experience, but soon realized it wasn’t entirely suited to me. Football there isn’t quite on par with basketball or American football, at least not yet.” Nonetheless, his time in America contributed to his personal growth. “Living alone away from my family was challenging. I had to learn emotional resilience. Now, I’m more at ease being away from home, and this helps me at RB Leipzig.”</p>
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<h2>From CD Leganés to RB Leipzig – The Bundesliga's Physicality</h2>
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<p>In addition to the trials with Rapids and Charlotte, Diomande was also highly sought after in Europe. He trained with a Premier League club and a top Greek team, among others. Eventually, he chose CD Leganés in January 2025. In just ten LaLiga games, where he scored one goal and assisted two, Leipzig took notice of his talent.</p>
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<p>“I aimed to transition from a smaller club to a bigger one,” Diomande explained regarding his move to Leipzig. “I had fruitful discussions with the club's director and coach. They communicated their vision effectively. They are keen on developing young players with quality and energy, making this the best choice for me.” What were those discussions like? “They assured me that I would get playing time if I committed and worked hard.” Diomande was resolute in his desire to earn his position in the first team.</p>
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<p>With head coach Ole Werner and his staff placing substantial trust in Diomande, he has become a regular fixture on the field. “The style of play here is more physical,” Diomande observed. “In Spain, the emphasis was on ball control; here, physical endurance is crucial. While in Spain, my focus was only on playing football, now I need to put in additional effort in the gym. I'm actively working on my strength.”</p>
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<h2>Diomande: “I’m Committed to Building Strength”</h2>
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<p>Diomande recognizes the importance of building strength. “I’m a high-intensity player who enjoys dribbling,” he explained when discussing his abilities. “I believe I have the potential to excel. I’m young, but time is of the essence. I’m also quite ambitious. Scoring goals is key in my role.” Furthermore, he acknowledges the need to enhance his dribbling, passing, defending, and teamwork skills. “Ultimately, it’s about scoring goals. The top-tier players find the net consistently, and I’m striving to be among them.”</p>
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<p>In terms of favorite teammates at RB Leipzig, Diomande mentioned two unexpected choices. “I really admire Willi Orbán and Castello Lukeba,” he said. “As a forward, it might be unusual to favor defenders, but they push me to improve. They challenge me in training, which ultimately elevates my game.”</p>
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<p>When asked about players he looks up to, Diomande mentioned several influences. “I see Vinicius Junior as a comparable player to myself,” he noted. “As for mindset, Kylian Mbappé is my role model. A strong mentality is essential. If you're mentally and emotionally stable, everything else follows.” He also expressed admiration for various notable players. “There are many strong examples from my country, like Gervinho, Yaya Touré, and Max Gradel, but my ultimate favorite is Cristiano Ronaldo.”</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>€45.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€150.00m</p>
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<p>Left Winger</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Left Winger</p>
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<p>30/06/2030</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>30/06/2027</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<h2>Diomande: “I Aspire to Compete in the Champions League”</h2>
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<p>Ivory Coast has given rise to numerous top-tier players, and Diomande aims to join their ranks. Recently, he received a call-up from national team coach Emerse Faé. “Being selected for the first team is incredibly fulfilling,” Diomande said. “It’s a dream I’ve always held—to represent my country, and now that dream is a reality.” This ambition has continued at AFCON, where he has made contributions in every match, including one goal.</p>
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<p>The call-up signifies a swift ascent for Diomande. He has made an impressive start to the season at RB Leipzig. Following a challenging opening match against Bayern Munich, Leipzig bounced back to win their next four games. With the team sitting fourth in the Bundesliga table at the winter break, Diomande has tallied seven goals and four assists across 16 games. His performances have caught the attention of top European clubs, but Diomande remains focused. “My immediate goal is to have a stellar season for myself and the team,” he stated. “We aim to qualify for a European competition, but my ultimate aspiration is to reach the Champions League. That's why I joined Leipzig.”</p>
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<p><em>This interview originally appeared in October 2025 and has since been updated.</em></p>
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