Leeds United have firmly stamped their mark on the Premier League transfer window by completing the signature of Swiss forward Noah Okafor from AC Milan. The 25-year-old has agreed to a four-year contract at Elland Road, subject to a work permit and international clearance, in a deal reported to be worth around £18 million.
The capture of Okafor marks Leeds United’s ninth signing of the summer, as they continue to reinforce their squad after promotion from the Championship.
Manager Daniel Farke had been vocal in his desire to add more firepower, especially in wide and central attacking positions, to complement existing additions such as Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Joël Piroe.
Okafor’s journey to Elland Road reflects a career rich in versatility and continental experience. Born in Binningen, Switzerland, he began his senior career with Basel before a prolific spell at Red Bull Salzburg.
There, he scored 25 league goals in 71 appearances and drew widespread attention with standout performances in the Champions League—including a memorable solo goal against AC Milan in 2022.
In July 2023, Okafor made the move to AC Milan. His time in Serie A was mixed—he scored seven goals in 39 league appearances—and included a loan spell at Napoli in early 2025, during which he added a Serie A title to his honors.
While not always a regular starter, his preseason displays—including a brace against Liverpool—demonstrated his attacking instincts and versatility across the front line.
The transfer also aligns with a wider Premier League spending spree. The influx of Okafor’s fee helped push league-wide summer spending past £2.36 billion, already breaking the previous record with at least a week left to go in the window.
Okafor himself briefly shared his excitement via Leeds United’s channels, stating: “I’m really excited. As a kid, I dreamed of playing in the Premier League. That’s why for me it was quite an easy decision. My football suits the Premier League, this is like a dream come true. I can’t wait to step on the field.”
His arrival was officially welcomed by the club: “Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Noah Okafor on a four-year contract… The 25-year-old arrives at Elland Road on a permanent deal from Italian giants AC Milan and can operate across the forward areas on either wing, or as a central striker when required to do so.”
Accompanying words from AC Milan added a respectful touch of closure: “AC Milan can confirm that Noah Okafor has joined Leeds United FC on a permanent basis. The Club would like to thank Noah for his professionalism and commitment, and wishes him the very best for his personal and professional future.”
Leeds’ background this season has been one of consolidation and smart planning. Fresh off a dominant Championship campaign where they achieved automatic promotion with 100 points and a goal difference of +65—scored 95 and conceded only 30, they have since moved quickly in the summer to reinforce their squad across multiple areas.