Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Nigerian-born Swiss international Noah Okafor from AC Milan in an £18 million transfer, a move that has helped push Premier League clubs’ total summer spending to a record-breaking £2.37 billion.
The 25-year-old forward has agreed a four-year contract with the newly promoted side, becoming their ninth signing since securing a return to the English top flight.
For Okafor, the switch to Elland Road represents the realization of a childhood dream. “As a kid, I dreamed of playing in the Premier League. That’s why for me it was quite an easy decision,” he said after his unveiling.
Okafor arrives in England with valuable experience from top-level European football. A product of FC Basel’s academy, he rose to prominence in Switzerland before moving to RB Salzburg, where he won multiple Austrian Bundesliga titles. His performances earned him a move to AC Milan in 2023, where he featured in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke expressed delight at securing the forward, describing him as a player who brings pace, versatility, and goal-scoring instincts. “Noah is someone we’ve tracked for a long time. He can play across the front line and gives us quality in attack as we look to establish ourselves back in the Premier League,” Farke said.
The transfer is also significant for the Premier League as it tips overall spending past £2.37 billion, breaking last summer’s record. Analysts say the figure highlights the continued financial power of English clubs despite broader concerns about spending sustainability and profit and sustainability rules.
For Leeds, the addition of Okafor is part of a wider recruitment drive aimed at ensuring survival and competitiveness after promotion. The club has brought in reinforcements across all departments, with Okafor’s signing expected to boost their attacking depth.
Fans at Elland Road welcomed the move with excitement, with many noting his Nigerian heritage as another link between the club and its growing international fan base. “It’s a brilliant signing. We needed pace and goals, and Okafor gives us both,” one supporter said outside the stadium.
Okafor has represented Switzerland at senior international level, earning over 20 caps and featuring at Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His Nigerian roots, however, have made him a player of interest among Nigerian fans, many of whom continue to follow his career closely.
As Leeds prepare for their Premier League opener this weekend, attention will now turn to how quickly Okafor adapts to the pace and intensity of English football. With the expectations of fans, club, and country on his shoulders, the £18 million forward will be under pressure to deliver.
Still, for Okafor, the move marks the fulfilment of a dream. “This is where I’ve always wanted to be,” he said. “Now it’s time to work hard and show what I can do for Leeds United.”
