Leeds United's most expensive signings of all time – list
In recent years, Leeds United have spent fairly freely, breaking their transfer record on several occasions since 2020. But who is the Whites’ current record signing?
Football FanCast has taken a look at Leeds United’s most expensive signings in their history, as per Transfermarkt, with a detailed look at the top 10.
1
Georginio Rutter
£35.5m
Hoffenheim
2023
2
Brenden Aaronson
£28.5m
RB Salzburg
2022
3
Rodrigo
£26m
Valencia
2020
4
Dan James
£25m
Man Utd
2018
5
Luis Sinisterra
£21m
Feyenoord
2022
6
Tyler Adams
£20m
RB Leipzig
2022
7
Jean-Kevin Augustin
£18.4m
RB Leipzig
2022
=8
Rio Ferdinand
£18m
West Ham
2000
=8
Noah Okafor
£18m
AC Milan
2025
=8
Diego Llorente
£18m
Real Sociedad
2020
11
Anton Stach
£17.4m
Hoffenheim
2025
12
Raphinha
£17m
Rennes
2020
13
Helder Costa
£16m
Wolves
2020
14
Jaka Bijol
£15m
Udinese
2025
15
Robbie Fowler
£14.5m
Liverpool
2001
16
Lucas Perri
£13.9m
Lyon
2025
17
Junior Firpo
£13m
Barcelona
2021
=18
Sean Longstaff
£12m
Newcastle
2025
=18
Robin Koch
£12m
Freiburg
2020
=18
Joel Piroe
£12m
Swansea
2023
Here's a detailed look at Leeds' 10 most expensive signings: 10 Diego Llorente £18m from Real Sociedad
Centre-back Diego Llorente was brought in ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League, with the Spaniard providing an experienced option in defence.
However, things never really went to plan for Llorente at Elland Road, who struggled to nail down a place under Marcelo Bielsa or Jesse Marsch.
9 Noah Okafor £18m from AC Milan
Switzerland international Noah Okafor was Leeds’ marquee signing in 2025 following the Whites’ second return to the Premier League.
The versatile forward impressed in a pre-season friendly against Leeds in Dublun, and weeks later, was unveiled as an £18m signing.
8 Rio Ferdinand £18m from West Ham
The oldest signing in the top 10 is defender Rio Ferdinand, who Leeds signed from West Ham in 2000.
The centre-back went on to impress in Yorkshire, playing in the Champions League and starring for England in the 2002 World Cup as a Whites player before joining rivals Manchester United in a big-money exit.
Year joined
2000
Appearances
73
Goals
3
Sold to
Man Utd (2002, £30m)
7 Jean-Kevin Augustin £18.4m from RB Leipzig
There were high hopes when Jean-Kevin Augustin signed for Leeds on loan when they were in the Championship, with an obligation to make a move permanent should they win promotion.
The Whites did go up, but Augustin didn’t live up to the hype, playing just 48 minutes for Leeds, who were involved in a long legal battle over making his deal permanent.
In the end, Leeds were ordered to pay an £18.4m fee to RB Leipzig and compensation to the player, making him the most expensive player per appearance in football history.
Year joined
2020
Appearances
3
Goals
0
Sold to
Nantes (2020, free)
6 Tyler Adams £20m from RB Leipzig
Tyler Adams was signed in the summer of 2022 ahead of Marsch’s first full season in charge at Elland Road, with the central midfielder showing early promise for the Whites.
However, after Leeds were eventually relegated, he signed for Bournemouth to make a swift return to the Premier League.
5 Luis Sinisterra £21m from Feyenoord
Winger Luis Sinisterra had an injury-hit spell with Leeds after signing from Feyenoord in 2022, but did show his quality when fully fit.
The Colombian was part of the squad that was relegated from the Premier League before forcing an Elland Road exit in 2023, eventually making his loan move to Bournemouth permanent in February 2024.
Year joined
2022
Appearances
26
Goals
8
Sold to
Bournemouth (2024, £20m)
4 Dan James £25m from Man Utd
Signed from Old Trafford in 2021, Dan James was a long-term target for Bielsa, who nearly joined Leeds from Swansea City years prior before a dramatic deadline-day collapse.
The Whites eventually got their man, though, with James now making more appearances for Leeds than any other of his previous clubs.
3 Rodrigo £26m from Valencia
Bielsa’s most expensive signing as Leeds manager was Spanish forward Rodrigo, who spent three years at Elland Road, scoring 28 goals in 97 appearances.
Rodrigo was mainly deployed just behind the striker, something which arguably didn’t play to his strengths, with his best season in front of goal for Leeds coming in the year the Whites were relegated.
Year joined
2020
Appearances
97
Goals
28
Sold to
Al-Rayyan (2023, £3m)
2 Brenden Aaronson £28.5m from RB Salzburg
Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson was on the Leeds radar for a good six months prior to signing in 2022, quickly joining after the club ensured their Premier League status.
During his first year as a Whites player, the USA international struggled as Leeds were relegated, and he remains under contract until 2027.
1 Georginio Rutter £35.5m from Hoffenheim
Top of the charts is Georginio Rutter, who has now won the Elland Road faithful over after an underwhelming start to life in West Yorkshire.
The French forward made his mark in the Championship during the 2023/24 season but left for Brighton after the Seagulls trggered his release clause hours before it was due to expire.