Leeds United have bolstered their defensive ranks with the acquisition of James Justin from Leicester City, securing the versatile full-back for an initial £8 million, potentially rising to £10 million in add-ons with clauses dependent on performance and survival-related targets.
The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract, keeping him at Elland Road until the summer of 2029.
This marks Leeds United’s tenth signing of a summer transfer window in which they have now exceeded £100 million in overall spending, a commitment clearly underlined by this strategic investment in defensive depth.
James Justin’s arrival comes at a critical juncture. Newly promoted to the Premier League, Leeds United are keen to fortify their squad amid an early-season hammering against Arsenal and an earlier success in the opening win over Everton.
Leicester’s adaptable defender offers both experience and reliability across the back line, a necessity for Daniel Farke’s side seeking to withstand the rigors of top-flight football.
Born in Luton in 1998, James Justin advanced through his hometown club Luton Town’s academy, making his professional debut in 2016. His breakthrough was swift: the 2016–17 season saw him named Luton’s Young Player of the Season.
After a successful spell helping Luton secure promotion to League One and then the Championship, his performances earned him a move to Leicester City in 2019.
At Leicester, Justin’s journey was mixed with both triumph and adversity. He was part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup in 2020–21 but, tragically, suffered a serious ACL injury that sidelined him for nearly a year.
His return was followed by another long injury layoff, yet he came back resiliently, playing 39 games in Leicester’s Championship title-winning 2023–24 campaign that secured their return to the Premier League.
Last season, Justin featured 36 times in the Premier League for Leicester, chipping in with two goals and two assists. He also compiled a significant volume of defensive contributions: tackles, interceptions, passes, and aerial dominance among them—highlighting his all-around game.
Moreover, his deployment has been far from one-dimensional: he has featured predominantly at right-back but also slotted in as left-back, centre-back, and even on the flanks as a winger when required — a testament to his versatility.
Analysts and pundits have been effusive in their praise. Former England defender Micah Richards described him as “absolutely brilliant… one of the best full-backs in the league this season… he can play left-back, he can read the game, he can go forward, he can defend… he’s got composure… he can see a pass,” underscoring his blend of athleticism, technical quality, and footballing intelligence.
Leeds United’s head coach, Daniel Farke, has clearly targeted an imposing and physically robust squad this summer—one characterized by height, athleticism, and adaptability.
While James Justin might not quite match the towering frames of some of his new colleagues, his intelligence on the ball and defensive nous makes him a crucial complement to Leeds’ “Big Lads United” project.
Justin himself expressed excitement about the signing and the club’s atmosphere: “I’m excited. The stadium has got one of the best atmospheres in, I don’t know, world football. It is always a daunting task to come here with an opposing team, I am happy to have the fans behind me this time.”
His familiarity with Elland Road—where he faced Leeds five times as a Leicester player—adds another layer of advantage. In those encounters, he experienced two wins and three losses, exemplifying his awareness of the challenges that await.