Who is new Man Utd signing Diego Leon and the surprise legend who found him

Manchester United have reportedly sealed the signing of one of South America's hottest talents in wing-back Diego Leon.

He has been followed by many top clubs in Europe who have been watching the progress of the teenage sensation at Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño.

And it may come as a surprise to many who discovered his potential and gave him his chance to shine aged just 17.

Manolo Jiménez has had numerous "footballing sons", as they are called in Spain, throughout his managerial career.

With Sevilla’s first team and academy, he nurtured talents like Jesús Navas, Sergio Ramos, José Antonio Reyes, Antonio Puerta, and Antoñito.

"I feel fulfilled. Beyond being a coach, I see myself as a mentor. I enjoy passing on what I’ve learned and ensuring we don’t lose our raw talent," he said about his coaching.

In recent seasons football fans may have lost track of his career after his success at Sevilla as both a player and a member of the coaching department.

But last year he took up a role helping to develop the scouting and coaching departments at Cerro Porteño.

And he actually became the manager halfway through the season where he gave Leon his debut last August aged 17 years and three months.

Now the Red Devils are set to pay up to €7.5 million, depending on bonuses, to bring the Paraguayan left-back to Manchester in July 2025.

After being given the chance by the Spanish coach, now manager at APOEL, León scored the winning goal against Sportivo Ameliano (1-0) and celebrated by embracing Jiménez.

Remarkably, he repeated the feat the following week in his second professional match.

Jiménez has shared his admiration for the youngster’s determination: "Before I started coaching Cerro Porteño, I spent months understanding the academy and supporting the grassroots.

"It’s impressive what Diego and others like him achieve.

"Many kids from rural areas wake up early, take buses with no fixed schedules, train at 7:30am, and then head off to school. Their dedication and passion are truly inspiring."

León, who also caught Arsenal’s attention, was born 300 kilometers from the Paraguayan capital Asunción in an agricultural region and is the youngest of nine siblings.

"Sometimes, he didn’t even have a ball to play with," recalls his mother, Brígida Blanco.

"He would take any piece of cloth, roll it up, and declare, ‘I’m going to play for Cerro.’

"True to his word, León joined Cerro Porteño at 13 and quickly stood out, even as a left-back. Before his promotion to the first team, he was the U18 top scorer with nine goals midseason.

Jiménez recalls the decision to elevate León to the senior squad: "We had a right-footer playing left-back, and after losing Cecilio Domínguez [a winger] to injury, we struggled with depth.

"Diego was still developing, but I saw his strength and quality and decided to take a chance. Physically, he’s extraordinary, with innate potential and offensive instincts."

León quickly made the left flank his own. "He burst onto the scene, and we decided to give him full responsibility for the wing," said Jimenez.

"He played without a winger ahead of him, with a defensive midfielder covering his runs. Despite being strongly left-footed, he’s capable of cutting inside or providing width, making him a dual threat.

"The only advice I gave Diego was to play with the first team as he did in the academy."

León’s first season in Paraguay’s top division was remarkable.

He completed the most crosses into the box by left-backs, ranked third in progressive runs (over 10 meters toward the opponent’s goal), and was third in touches inside the opponent's penalty area.

He also scored two goals. Based on his performances, the CIES Football Observatory ranked him the fourth-best U18 player globally, behind the likes of Lamine Yamal.

Jiménez, who played as a left-back himself, sees room for growth.

"He needs to work on his defensive transitions—when to anticipate, when to hold back," he said.

"Decision-making is what separates good players from great ones, and Diego will learn that. He already has the strength and quality, which are crucial."

The APOEL manager is confident that a move to Manchester United would benefit León.

"He has character and personality. If he adapts to Europe and the intensity of English football, he’ll develop immensely," he said.

León draws inspiration from Marcelo, the legendary Brazilian full-back. "My role model is Marcelo," he admitted, citing similarities in their ability to cut inside and launch from a standing start.

But Jiménez is cautious and he told Marca: "Marcelo scored an incredible goal against us in the Libertadores.

"Diego has incredible promise, but his journey is just beginning. Hopefully, one day, we can say he had a career like Marcelo or even Patrice Evra at Old Trafford if he joins United."

Jiménez's latest protégé seems poised for a bright future, ready to make his mark on the global stage.