Dan James reveals what Leeds United players have already said about Noah Okafor
Leeds have completed the signing of Swiss winger Noah Okafor from AC Milan.
Okafor will cost Leeds around £18million, and he has signed a four-year deal with Daniel Farke’s side.
The transfer takes the summer spending by Premier League clubs up to a record £2.37billion, with the Whites still wanting more.
The 25-year-old becomes Leeds’ ninth summer addition since winning the Championship title in the 2024/25 season.
Noah Okafor is a ‘great addition’ says Dan James
Dan James was impressive in Leeds’ important 1-0 win over Everton on the opening day.
Okafor could compete with James for a place in the Peacocks starting 11, with the versatile attacker able to play all across the forward line.
Farke’s side were dominant in their Monday Night Football win, and the 25-year-old will only improve them.
Speaking to BBC Sport West Yorkshire, James shared what’s already impressed him about Okafor.
“I wouldn’t say he’s different. I think he brings more quality, definitely, and he’s another winger, a wide player that brings more quality,” he said.
“Also, he looks very versatile; he can play in all three positions, which is always great. I thought he put in a performance against us when we played against AC Milan.
- Okafor’s time with Milan ended with seven goals in 56 appearances
- Last season, Okafor was loaned to Napoli, where he won the Serie A
“He looks like a great threat going forward, strong, powerful, great feet, and after the game, the boys were saying that he’s a very good player, not knowing that he would sign here two weeks later.
“From what I’m seeing from him, he’s a great player, great lad, and also a great addition. He looks like he knows what it takes to play for this club.”
How do Dan James and Noah Okafor compare?
James primarily plays on the right, whereas Okafor has played much of his career on the left.
However, Farke will be eager to switch his side both before games and during to keep the squad fit and adapt tactically.
| Player | Top speed | Dribbles per 90 | Goals | Assists |
| Dan James | 35.67km/h | 1.6 | 41 | 26 |
| Noah Okafor | 31.08km/h | 1.6 | 63 | 37 |
This could see the new signing often replacing his Welsh counterpart.
Both players are very quick and also have an eye for a cross, which will leave Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha excited in attack.
Farke also has to factor in the quality of Wilfried Gnonto up front and has now moved from having limited options in the final third to having great depth.
Either way, Leeds have some tough decisions to make to accommodate their forwards, and it will be interesting to see how they line up against Arsenal on 23 August.
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