Leeds United have completed the signing of Noah Okafor from AC Milan for a fee of £18m, a move that pushes Premier League spending this summer to an unprecedented £2.37bn. The Swiss international joins on a four-year contract and becomes Leeds’ ninth addition since their promotion from the Championship.
The 25-year-old forward described the transfer as the fulfilment of a childhood ambition:
“As a kid, I dreamed of playing in the Premier League. My style suits the league, so for me it was an easy decision. I can’t wait to get started.”
Okafor’s arrival officially surpasses the previous single-window spending record of £2.36bn, set in the summer of 2023, underlining the financial power of English clubs despite wider calls for spending restraint across European football.
Okafor, who began his career at Basel before moving to RB Salzburg, joined Milan in 2023 but struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular. Across 54 appearances for the Rossoneri, he managed seven goals, the last of which came on the opening day of last season. A mid-season loan spell at Napoli yielded just four substitute appearances.
While not a prolific scorer at club level, the Swiss international has demonstrated versatility across the frontline. According to Opta data:
Known for his pace and direct running, Okafor attempted 4.2 dribbles per 90 minutes last season, though his efficiency was mixed, with fewer than half proving successful. He previously recorded 25 goals in 71 league matches in Switzerland but has never cemented himself as a consistent starter.
At 6ft 1in, he also fits Leeds’ physical recruitment model this summer—all nine of their signings measure at least 5ft 11in, with seven over 6ft.
Okafor’s transfer is part of a wider trend of aggressive Premier League spending, with six clubs breaking their individual transfer records already this summer. Highlights include:
If the add-ons for Wirtz are triggered, his move would set a new British transfer record, eclipsing the £107m Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernández in 2023.
With 10 days remaining in the window, the spending record looks set to climb even higher, further widening the financial gap between the Premier League and Europe’s other top divisions.
