Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

James Barker

Wed 29 April 2026 11:10, UK

James Justin has cost Leeds United just £470,000 per Premier League start in 2025-26.

Signed in August last year from Leicester City, Justin arrived at Elland Road with some supporters sceptical about the deal.

The 28-year-old defender was just part of a Foxes team that were relegated from the Premier League in 2024-25, and he’d started 34 times for them in the top flight last season too.

On top of that, he’d also endured multiple serious injury problems whilst at the King Power Stadium, particularly between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, where he was only able to play a combined 34 times in all competitions.

However, despite the fact Leeds’ finances had been massively boosted following their Premier League promotion, the Whites spotted an opportunity to strike a relative bargain deal for Justin last summer.

What is Leeds United’s cost per James Justin appearance 2025-26?

Justin has been a big success for Leeds this season, with the versatile defender being Daniel Farke‘s very own Swiss Army Knife at the back.

Capable of plugging any and all gaps in defence whenever he’s needed, he’s operated in central defence, both full-back spots, and has even been deployed in midfield down the flanks as well.

However, he’s not just been a dependable backup player for the Whites, as he’s started 17 of his 25 Premier League appearances and has really established himself in a starting role during the calendar year of 2026 so far.

Leeds paid a widely reported initial fee of £8million to sign Justin from Leicester in August last year, which has provided them with superb bang for their buck.

When broken down, that £8m fee works out at a cost per league appearance of just £320,000, whilst it only jumps up to £470,000 per league start respectively.

He’s also played five times in the FA Cup this season, taking his total appearances to 30 in all competitions, with that then coming to a per appearance cost of £266,000.

If you want to talk about best pound for pound signings of the 2025-26 Premier League season, Justin’s name surely has to be in that conversation.

Leeds would’ve been in deep trouble without Justin

Now sitting on that magic 40 points figure with just four games to play, Leeds have all but secured their place in the top flight for next season.

But, if it wasn’t for Justin’s presence in the team, then the Whites would no doubt have been in far greater trouble this term.

Indeed, whenever there’s been an instance of an injury, suspension or just general fatigue, Farke has been able to ask James to fill in wherever the gap has been.

He’s held the fort when needed and then some, and if you were to ask Farke about the player he’s been most relieved to have this season, or perhaps his sides’ biggest unsung hero, Justin would likely be his answer.