In a transfer coup that has sent shockwaves through the Premier League, Leeds United have successfully completed the signing of Swiss international Noah Okafor from AC Milan in a deal worth over €20.5 million. The 25-year-old versatile forward has signed a four-year contract with an option for a further season, marking a significant statement of intent from the Yorkshire club as they prepare for their Premier League campaign.
Table of Contents
Deal Confirmed: Fabrizio Romano’s “Here We Go!”
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed the move with his trademark “Here we go!” announcement: “Noah Okafor to Leeds United, here we go! Deal in place as revealed last night for fee over €20m to AC Milan. Okafor set to sign four year contract with option for further season, ready for PL move after Daniel Farke’s calls.”
The deal represents a major coup for Leeds United, who have moved swiftly to secure one of Europe’s most promising forwards ahead of several other interested clubs, including Bologna who had also expressed strong interest in the Swiss international.
The Perfect Addition to Farke’s Premier League Project
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been instrumental in pushing through this signing, recognizing Noah Okafor’s potential to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. Farke has been “pushing a lot” for the signing, viewing the Swiss international as the ideal addition to complement the recent arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The timing couldn’t be better for Leeds United, who kicked off their Premier League campaign against Everton and face a challenging fixture list that includes away trips to Arsenal and home games against Newcastle United. Farke had previously stated his concerns about surviving in the Premier League without quality additions, making Okafor’s arrival a crucial piece in the puzzle.
Who is Noah Okafor? A Complete Player Profile
Noah Okafor, born on May 24, 2000, in Binningen, Switzerland, represents the modern forward’s evolution. Standing at 6’1″ tall, he combines impressive physical presence with lightning pace and technical ability that has caught the attention of Europe’s elite clubs.
Career Journey: From Basel to European Stardom
The Swiss international began his professional journey at FC Basel, where he emerged through their youth academy before signing his first professional contract in 2018. His breakthrough came during Basel’s successful 2018-19 Swiss Cup-winning campaign, where he demonstrated the clinical finishing ability that would later attract international attention.
In January 2020, Noah Okafor made his first major career move to Red Bull Salzburg for approximately €15 million. It was at Salzburg where he truly announced himself on the European stage, particularly with his memorable Champions League performances, including scoring the only goal as Salzburg defeated Sevilla in the final group stage match, securing progression to the Round of 16 and making Salzburg the first-ever Austrian club to qualify for the knockout stages.
AC Milan Chapter: Mixed Fortunes in Serie A
On 22 July 2023, Okafor signed for Italian Serie A side AC Milan until 30 June 2028, representing another significant step up in his career. However, his time at San Siro proved challenging, with the forward struggling to secure a regular starting position in the competitive Rossoneri lineup.
During his debut season with Milan, he made 28 appearances in Serie A, but the majority of those—22 to be precise—came from the bench. During that time, he managed to net six goals and provide two assists. The lack of consistent game time led to a loan move to Napoli for the latter half of the 2024-25 season, where he experienced the ultimate high of winning Serie A with the Partenopei.
Recent Form: A Pre-Season Revelation
Despite his struggles for regular first-team football, Noah Okafor has been in scintillating form during AC Milan’s pre-season campaign. He featured in 4 pre season games for the Italian side and managed to score 4 goals and assist once. 2 of the 4 goals came against Premier League champions Liverpool showing his ability to score against one of Europe’s best.
This impressive pre-season form, including his eye-catching performance against Leeds United themselves in Dublin, where he played the full 90 minutes, caught the attention of Daniel Farke and reinforced the German manager’s desire to secure his services.
Financial Details and Contract Structure
The transfer fee structure represents excellent value for Leeds United while providing AC Milan with a reasonable return on their investment. Key financial details include:
- Transfer Fee: €20.5 million to AC Milan
- Contract Length: Four years until June 2029
- Contract Option: Additional year until 2030
- Estimated Weekly Salary: Approximately £25,000-£30,000 per week
- Milan’s Profit: Approximately €5.5 million profit from their €15 million investment
Tactical Versatility: Farke’s Swiss Army Knife
Noah Okafor’s versatility makes him an invaluable asset for Leeds United’s Premier League campaign. Throughout his career, Okafor has been deployed in a number of roles in attack and has performed well in each of them. In his club football career, Okafor has been deployed as a left-winger on 86 different occasions, as a striker 79 times and as a right-winger 40 times.
This positional flexibility aligns perfectly with Daniel Farke’s tactical philosophy, providing the German manager with multiple options across the front line. Whether deployed as a central striker, left winger, or right winger, Okafor brings pace, technical ability, and goal threat to any position.
Statistical Analysis: Performance Breakdown
Career Statistics Overview
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Basel | 72 | 9 | 5 | 2017-2020 |
| RB Salzburg | 89 | 31 | 16 | 2020-2023 |
| AC Milan | 54 | 7 | 5 | 2023-2025 |
| Napoli (Loan) | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2025 |
| Total | 227 | 48 | 26 | 2017-2025 |
International Career
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Major Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland U21 | 15 | 8 | UEFA U21 Championships |
| Switzerland Senior | 23 | 3 | UEFA Nations League, World Cup Qualifiers |
Leeds United’s Summer Transfer Strategy
Noah Okafor’s arrival represents the ninth signing of Leeds United’s ambitious summer transfer window. The club’s recruitment strategy has focused on adding Premier League experience and quality depth across all positions:
Summer 2025 Signings Overview
| Player | Position | Previous Club | Fee | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Striker | Everton | Free | 3 years |
| Noah Okafor | Forward | AC Milan | €20.5m | 4+1 years |
| Anton Stach | Midfielder | Mainz 05 | €8m | 4 years |
| Isaac Schmidt | Right-back | St. Gallen | €3m | 5 years |
Potential Challenges and Concerns
While Noah Okafor brings undeniable quality to Leeds United, there are some concerns that Daniel Farke and his medical team will need to address:
Injury History
Since the 18/19 season, Okafor has missed at least 11 games in every campaign, which is an alarming record to say the least. This injury proneness has been a consistent theme throughout his career and will require careful management in the demanding Premier League environment.
Adaptation Period
Moving from Serie A to the Premier League represents a significant step up in terms of pace and physicality. While Okafor has the technical ability to succeed, his adaptation period will be crucial for Leeds United’s early season form.
International Pedigree and Future Potential
Noah Okafor has been a regular fixture in the Switzerland national team setup, representing his country in major international tournaments. His international experience, combined with his Champions League pedigree from his time at Salzburg, provides Leeds United with a player comfortable performing on the biggest stages.
At just 25 years old, Okafor is entering his prime years as a footballer, making this transfer an investment in both immediate impact and long-term potential. His profile fits perfectly with Leeds United’s strategy of combining experienced Premier League operators with hungry, ambitious players looking to make their mark in English football.
Fan Expectations and Early Predictions
The Leeds United faithful will be hoping that Noah Okafor can rediscover the form that made him such a hot property during his Salzburg days. His versatility means he could feature in various roles throughout the season, providing Daniel Farke with tactical flexibility that could prove crucial in their Premier League survival bid.
Early predictions suggest Okafor could challenge for a starting position on the left wing, where his pace and direct running style would complement the creative players in Farke’s system. His ability to drift wide and cut inside on his stronger foot makes him a constant threat in the final third.
The Bigger Picture: Leeds United’s Premier League Ambitions
Noah Okafor’s signing represents more than just a squad addition; it signals Leeds United’s serious intent to establish themselves as a stable Premier League club. The investment in quality players like Okafor, combined with the experience of Calvert-Lewin and the youth of other signings, creates a balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Daniel Farke’s previous success in the Championship with Norwich City demonstrated his ability to develop young talents and create cohesive team units. With Okafor’s arrival, the German manager now has the tools necessary to implement his preferred style of play in the Premier League.
Read More: Leverkusen Complete Season-Long Claudio Echeverri Loan Deal from Manchester City
FAQs
How much did Leeds United pay for Noah Okafor?
Leeds United paid AC Milan a fee of over €20.5 million (approximately £17.25 million) for Noah Okafor, representing one of their biggest signings of the summer transfer window.
What position does Noah Okafor play for Leeds United?
Noah Okafor is a versatile forward who can play as a striker, left winger, or right winger. Throughout his career, he has been deployed as a left-winger 86 times, striker 79 times, and right-winger 40 times, giving Daniel Farke multiple tactical options.
What is Noah Okafor’s contract length at Leeds United?
Okafor has signed a four-year contract with Leeds United until June 2029, with an option for an additional year until 2030, securing his long-term future at Elland Road.
Has Noah Okafor played in the Premier League before?
No, this will be Noah Okafor’s first experience in the Premier League. He has previously played in Switzerland (Basel), Austria (RB Salzburg), and Italy (AC Milan and Napoli), bringing valuable European experience to Leeds United.
What are Noah Okafor’s injury concerns?
Okafor has had a concerning injury record, missing at least 11 games in every season since 2018/19. Leeds United’s medical team will need to carefully manage his fitness throughout the demanding Premier League campaign.
