Leeds United confirmed on Thursday the signing of Swiss forward Noah Okafor, 25, in a €19 million deal. He leaves Milan after a stop-start run there and now comes to England hoping to carve out a real spot in the Premier League. The price tag caught attention, but so did his recent record, a stretch of ups and downs that left more questions than answers.
Okafor’s path
He came through at Basel in Switzerland before moving to Red Bull Salzburg, where he spent four seasons. In that time he racked up 110 games and 34 goals, the kind of return that pushed him into the European market. From there he signed for Milan, but the impact was limited: 53 appearances, only seven goals. Earlier this year, in February, he was loaned to Napoli. That spell never really got off the ground, just four matches, all as a sub, and no goals to show for it.
The forward is usually deployed on the left flank, though he can also play as a second striker. His arrival at Leeds comes after failing to get consistent time at Milan and finding no space at Napoli. That’s why the English side decided it was worth taking the chance.
Interest from other clubs
Before Leeds stepped in, Okafor had been tracked by different teams. Flamengo in Brazil checked on his situation back in June but never followed through with an official offer. In January, RB Leipzig looked like a possible destination, yet the move collapsed after reports suggested he hadn’t passed medical tests.
Those episodes underline how uncertain his career had become. A quiet stint at Milan, a loan at Napoli that barely registered, and the Leipzig deal falling apart, all of it pointed to the need for a reset. Leeds is now giving him that opening, in a league that can lift players quickly but can also expose them just as fast.
The signing also shows how Leeds is thinking. Spending €19 million signals real belief that Okafor can deliver more than he has lately. The club expects his pace and ability out wide to give the attack some extra options. Now it’s on him to turn that faith into performances.