Yan Diomande
MAINZ, GERMANY – 13 SEPTEMBER, 2025: Yan Diomande – The Bundesliga match 1. FSV Mainz 05 vs RB Leipzig at Mewa Arena.
RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande has detailed his fight to get to the top, as he eyes a move to Liverpool in future.
SportBILD have a big interview with the 19-year-old today, in which he details his struggle to get to where he is today.
Diomande left his family for football
Yan Diomande has become of the Bundesliga’s breakout stars, shining since joining Leipzig in a €20m deal last summer. Since then, he’s managed 11 goals and eight assists in 29 games in all competitions.
It’s been a rapid rise for the youngster, who was playing at American side DME Academy four years ago. He joined CD Leganés in Spain in January 2025 and then moved to Germany last summer.
Now he’s being linked with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with Leipzig valuing him at €100m. Diomande even admitted at the beginning of the year he wants to play for Liverpool at some point.
Diomande couldn’t have been clearer, saying: “I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a huge Liverpool fan. My dad dreams of seeing me play at Anfield!”
For now, though, he’s being patient. “I still have big goals. Everything comes in its time,” he said.
Childhood struggle
Diomande grew up in Abidjan under harsh conditions. His father left for France, leaving the family in a cramped home with little money. Football became his escape.
“I left my family and went to a village where I could play,” he explained. “It was my passion and my chance to achieve something.”
Football at that point wasn’t easy, though. The pitches were scorched and most kids played in sandals. Diomande did too, until an academy coach gave him his first real boots. He even slept at the coach’s house because home life was too difficult.
Despite his struggles, his talent stood out and he was soon offered a move to Yulee High School in Florida. But his family could only afford one ticket, meaning he left alone. That came with its own challenges.
“I was very far away from my family, friends, and my country. That was very difficult at first. Of course, everything in America was different from Africa.
“On top of that, there was the huge time difference, so we couldn’t talk to each other very often. I arrived there and couldn’t speak a word of English. But I taught myself the language in just a few months using the Duolingo app.”
“In the US, people mainly follow football and basketball. But when I played on the soccer team there, more and more spectators came. They wanted to see me and my friends and have liked soccer ever since. That made me proud.”
The move to Europe
In early 2025, Spanish side Leganés offered him a contract. Yan Diomande didn’t hesitate.
“When you come from Africa, it’s a huge opportunity for you and your whole family. You know, as a child, I always told them at home that I would become a professional footballer. I kept my word. It makes me incredibly proud that I can already provide for my family at such a young age.”
Before too long, he was making his debut against Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé. “I was so excited I didn’t think about it before or after.
“I couldn’t sleep, I was only promoted to the first team two days before the game, and I never dreamed they’d include me in the squad against Real Madrid. When they told me, I was incredibly happy and immediately called my mother.”
Liverpool in the future?
Now the focus is on the future. Whether he’ll be at RB Leipzig beyond the summer is uncertain.
A report at the end of March insisted Liverpool are ready to move to sign him as a replacement for Mohamed Salah. Diomande has big ambitions either way.
“My brother once told me I should win everything there is to win. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do: I want to win every title there is someday. And I know I can do it.”
🇪🇸 Jules Koundé | Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea front page transfer tussle
➡️ Rumoured €80m Reds offer likely acceptable
🔁 Koundé linked to PL clubs every year… a traditionhttps://t.co/UIX8fZLvHX #lfc #mcfc #cfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026