Questions were asked of the transfer recruitment team but time has shone on them kindly
05:00, 29 May 2026
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor have been hits
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor have been hits(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Leeds United spent more than £100m on 11 signings over the course of the 2025/26 season, and for the most part, this recruitment drive can be classed as a success.
The main goal of Premier League survival was secured with three games to go and a run to the FA Cup semi-finals also offered fans the chance to descend on Wembley. Leeds won the appraisal of many neutrals and earned plaudits for breaking the two-year promotion curse.
While not all signings can be filed as triumphs, many of the new boys have become starting XI regulars with arguably as many six becoming staples of the team. Below, Leeds Live grades how each signing fared this season in the order in which they arrived at the slub.
Lukas Nmecha - B
Nmecha only started 10 Premier League games and it is clear Leeds need to acquire a better back-up striker this summer. But given he arrived for nothing and scored seven goals, including four match-defining ones, his arrival can be deemed as a moderate success.
A goal every 209 minutes, or two games and 29 minutes, is not bad going for someone who has had to deal with coming off the bench and making the most of his time he’s been given - especially during the FA Cup games when the team is often heavily rotated anyway.
Jaka Bijol - A
It’s often forgotten Bijol had to wait two international breaks and until October to get his Premier League debut. Rusty in some elements initially, the centre-back has grown into a fantastic top tier centre-half, aided by the switch to the back three formation.
Of course, for a £15m signing, there was always going to be some aspects of his game which drew concern - his staggered pace when chasing back and some ill-timed challenges showing this. But his on-the-ball work is one of the best in the team and his aerial ability cannot be questioned nor dominated.
Sebastiaan Bornauw - C
Injury and looking liable at times means Bornauw will likely be on the bottom-rung of the centre-back pick heading into next season, and the fact that rumours - however baseless they are - are stirring around his future indicates his status within the ranks.
But having not started a Premier League game before, he was integral to Leeds earning a goalless draw away at Liverpool on New Year's Day and has actually not lost a league game he has started. He is an excellent squad player, but certain elements of his game need addressing.
Gabriel Gudmundsson - A+
Gabriel Gudmundsson in action at Wembley
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Gabriel Gudmundsson in action at Wembley(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sturdy, reliable, productive. List all the superlatives you want, Gudmundsson has been one of the signings of the season. His ability to bounce back from setbacks is just as impressive as his football intelligence.
Knowing when to press and when to stay back is hardly easy against Premier League wingers but he has shone in this regard in his maiden year. The chances of him moving on this summer are slim but should he continue his trajectory, Leeds might have a battle on their hands next year.
Sean Longstaff - B
Longstaff moved to Leeds from Newcastle with the hope of earning more sustained game time, but did not start a Premier League game after November, partly due to his own calf injury in late Autumn.
But he has come up with some important moments for Leeds, including his goals against Bournemouth and his swivel FA Cup effort against Norwich City. Longstaff might not have emulated the purple patch he enjoyed early on again but his influence on the squad in raising standards is why he deserves more than a C.
Anton Stach - A
Stach has been instrumental for a large part of this season, so much so that one can forget the rough spell he had in October and November, even being benched for one game; the 2-1 win over West Ham - the only win in eight games during that period. But this is nitpicking of the highest order.
Stach’s set-pieces, his transition play and the ability to win the ball back made him a contender for the Germany World Cup squad and makes him one of the first names on the Leeds teamsheet. He’s found his feet in English football and is now galloping apace.
Lucas Perri - D
Some may rank Perri’s season as lower but it would be harsh to simply ignore his FA Cup heroics. He was a major reason why Leeds made it to their first semi-final for 39 years.
But - he was supposed to be an upgrade on Karl Darlow. He hasn’t been, and has made some crucial mistakes at various points, not least the Newcastle 4-3 winner. Perri is one of the few failures of the summer.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - A+
Dominic Calvert-Lewin featured for England in March
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin featured for England in March(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
A few may look at Calvert-Lewin’s rating and wonder why Stach has been graded lower. After all, the striker did have large barren patches at times. His 15 goals for £0 this season automatically put him at an A grade.
But he gets the plus mark for the other side of his game. Calvert-Lewin may not have always scored but he was the main reason why Leeds managed to sustain attacks and thus allow others to score. His hold-up play and aerial prowess was crucial for Leeds’ ability to win games. Without him, Leeds could have been dealing with relegation.
Noah Okafor - B
Okafor will go down in the annals of Leeds folklore with his double at Old Trafford. His late season surge of six goals in seven Premier League games showed why was worth the £18m.
However, it still feels like there are levels to go for the Swiss. Injuries have cropped up too often and post the hour-mark, Okafor usually dissolves into the background. Sort these two elements out and the sky is the limit for the 26-year-old.
James Justin - A
Justin had to wait until that famous Manchester City game for his Premier League full debut. Ever since the back-three switch, the defender has not only been magnificent and versatile but crucial to Farke’s system. He even usurped Jayden Bogle at wing back at one stage.
Like Gudmundsson, Justin’s football intelligence is clear and has been raved about by the manager. He also has three goals for the campaign, having cost just an initial £8m. It's an absolute steal and he looks to be one of the bargains of the Farke era.
Facundo Buonanotte - F
If F is the lowest grade, then that is what has to be given to Buonanotte’s time at Leeds. It is a wonder why the club were so keen on him during their failed summer pursuit given that he has not been at the levels required.
If his loan spell at Chelsea was rotten, his time at Leeds has been disastrous. Only one start - a dreadful showing against Birmingham City in the FA Cup - and just 36 Premier League minutes, combined with him being left out of 11 of 21 matchdays, says it all.
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