Leroy Sané

Leroy Aziz Sané (German pronunciation: [ˈliːʁɔʏ zaˈneː]; born 11 January 1996) is a German professional footballer who plays as a winger for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and the Germany national team.

Sané made his professional debut for Schalke 04 in 2014 and transferred to Premier League club Manchester City in 2016 for an initial £37 million fee. He was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 2017–18, becoming the first and so far only German player to win the award, after helping City win the league and EFL Cup. In 2020, he joined Bayern Munich on a five-year deal for an initial €45 million fee.

Sané made his senior international debut for Germany in November 2015 and was part of their squad that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.

Early life

Sané was born on 11 January 1996 in Essen and was raised near the Lohrheidestadion, Wattenscheid. He is the son of former German rhythmic gymnast and 1984 Summer Olympics bronze medalist Regina Weber, and former footballer and Senegalese international Souleymane Sané. He was named Leroy in honour of Claude Le Roy, a former head coach of his father. His father met his mother while playing professionally for SG Wattenscheid 09. Souleymane Sané was raised in France; he moved to Germany through his service in the French Army. Sané's two brothers, Kim and Sidi, have played for the youth side or second XI of major German football clubs.

Club career

Early career

Sané began playing football in 2001 for the youth team of SG Wattenscheid 09. In 2005, he joined Schalke 04. Three years later, he joined Bayer Leverkusen, before returning to the Schalke youth academy (Nachwuchsleistungszentrum) in 2011.