(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Lucas Perri files lawsuit as Leeds United star to demand payments in new hearing

Niall Togher

Niall is a lifelong Leeds United supporter who began reporting on MOT Leeds News in July 2025 after initially joining Breaking Media a month earlier. He graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a first class degree in Sports Journalism in 2024 and has covered Leeds for multiple other websites. After attending Elland Road for the first time as a youngster with United in League One, Niall hopes to see Leeds reclaim their spot in the Champions League and get back to competing for the Premier League.

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Lucas Perri joined Leeds United from Lyon over the summer transfer window.

Whilst Perri's performances have been questioned at times, there is no doubting that over the course of the season, he will prove to be a dramatic upgrade on both Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow.

The Brazilian shot stopper has kept two clean sheets in his first three Premier League appearances, but Perri is set to miss Leeds' next two games through injury.

The goalkeeper is also currently involved in a lawsuit with one of his former clubs, as new details regarding this action have begun to emerge.

Illan Meslier looking sad at Leeds United
Meslier endured a tough season. (Credit: Imago)

Lucas Perri is demanding payment from Botafogo over labour debts

Perri, 27, made 54 appearances for the Brazilian outfit between 2022 and 2023 before he made the move to Lyon.

However, the goalkeeper seemingly has unfinished business with his old club, with reports from ge Globo claiming Perri has filed a lawsuit for labour debts.

The towering shot stopper's defence is seeking payment of around £388,000 for things such as image rights, FGTS and pending severance pay.

Neither the player's defence nor Botafogo's press office has provided any further comment regarding the situation with the first hearing for the case set to take place on 5 November.

Lucas Perri in Leeds United kit
(Credit: Manh Tung/ Breaking Media)

Data suggests Lucas Perri has struggled so far at Leeds

Perri arrived at Elland Road with a massive reputation, but the raw data suggests he has yet to hit the same heights he did at Lyon in West Yorkshire.

Lucas Perri data at Lyon and Leeds United compared
(Credit: DataMB)

Perri's kicking has been the main thing that has concerned supporters so far, and whilst this may not be his speciality, his data from his time at Lyon last season suggests it is likely to improve.

  • During the defeat to Arsenal, Perri completed eight of the 24 long balls he attempted
  • He also had a goals prevented of -2.23 in an afternoon to forget for the Brazilian

Perri also boasted a higher save percentage and a higher post-shot expected goals - goals allowed, suggesting that he was better at preventing goals during his time in France.

Daniel Farke and Co. will hope that as he settles, his data begins to resemble the numbers he put up last season, but an ongoing lawsuit cannot be a helpful distraction to have going on in the background.

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