LEEDS HAVE SIGNED Switzerland forward Noah Okafor from AC Milan for a reported fee which could rise to £18million (€21m).
Okafor, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Serie A champions Napoli, is Leeds’ ninth summer signing following promotion.
Leeds, meanwhile, have been dealt an injury blow as captain Ethan Ampadu has been ruled out until at least after the international break.
Head coach Daniel Farke confirmed Ampadu has damaged a medial collateral ligament in a knee and will miss Saturday’s Premier League game at Arsenal and the following two matches.
Ampadu was outstanding in Leeds’ opening win against Everton at Elland Road on Monday before being hurt in a second-half challenge from Tim Iroegbunam, which later forced the Wales midfielder off.
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Farke said: “It’s bad news with him sadly. The next (few) games we have to play without him.
“MCL injury, he will definitely be out until at least the international break. I hope to have him back the other side of the international break. He’s pretty quick after injury back on the training pitch.”
The Okafor transfer means Premier League clubs have spent more this summer than the previous record in a single transfer window.
The money spent on Okafor, who signed a four-year deal, takes the total outlay by the clubs to £2.37 billion, passing the previous mark of £2.36bn in the summer of 2023.
That total will only grow as there is still over a week to go before the transfer window closes.
The club said: “Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Noah Okafor on a four-year contract, subject to a work permit and international clearance.
“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.”
Okafor’s arrival is expected to end Leeds’ interest in Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, who played a starring role for Daniel Farke’s Championship-winning side on loan last season.
Leeds have now spent around £92million in total on new players since ending their two-year top-flight absence.
Farke, who also wants to add a full-back to his squad, confirmed last week following the arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin that he was hoping to further boost his attacking options and it remains to be seen whether Leeds are still in pursuit of another out-and-out striker.
Okafor, who began his professional career at Basel, scored 34 goals and made 23 assists in 110 appearances for Salzburg before joining AC Milan in a €15.5m deal in July 2023.
He scored seven goals and made five assists in two seasons at the Serie A club, which included his four-month loan spell at Napoli.
- Updated at 4.24pm with additional reporting by AFP.
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Leeds sign Noah Okafor as new Premier League spending record reached
LAST UPDATE | 21 Aug 2025
LEEDS HAVE SIGNED Switzerland forward Noah Okafor from AC Milan for a reported fee which could rise to £18million (€21m).
Okafor, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Serie A champions Napoli, is Leeds’ ninth summer signing following promotion.
Leeds, meanwhile, have been dealt an injury blow as captain Ethan Ampadu has been ruled out until at least after the international break.
Head coach Daniel Farke confirmed Ampadu has damaged a medial collateral ligament in a knee and will miss Saturday’s Premier League game at Arsenal and the following two matches.
Ampadu was outstanding in Leeds’ opening win against Everton at Elland Road on Monday before being hurt in a second-half challenge from Tim Iroegbunam, which later forced the Wales midfielder off.
Farke said: “It’s bad news with him sadly. The next (few) games we have to play without him.
“MCL injury, he will definitely be out until at least the international break. I hope to have him back the other side of the international break. He’s pretty quick after injury back on the training pitch.”
The Okafor transfer means Premier League clubs have spent more this summer than the previous record in a single transfer window.
The money spent on Okafor, who signed a four-year deal, takes the total outlay by the clubs to £2.37 billion, passing the previous mark of £2.36bn in the summer of 2023.
That total will only grow as there is still over a week to go before the transfer window closes.
The club said: “Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Noah Okafor on a four-year contract, subject to a work permit and international clearance.
“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.”
Okafor’s arrival is expected to end Leeds’ interest in Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, who played a starring role for Daniel Farke’s Championship-winning side on loan last season.
Leeds have now spent around £92million in total on new players since ending their two-year top-flight absence.
Farke, who also wants to add a full-back to his squad, confirmed last week following the arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin that he was hoping to further boost his attacking options and it remains to be seen whether Leeds are still in pursuit of another out-and-out striker.
Okafor, who began his professional career at Basel, scored 34 goals and made 23 assists in 110 appearances for Salzburg before joining AC Milan in a €15.5m deal in July 2023.
He scored seven goals and made five assists in two seasons at the Serie A club, which included his four-month loan spell at Napoli.
- Updated at 4.24pm with additional reporting by AFP.
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