Daniel Farke has rubber-stamped a total of 29 signings since the German took office at Leeds United, from Ethan Ampadu, to Djed Spence and to the latest arrival in James Justin.
Of course, Farke has made 29 signings, but only welcomed 28 players through the door. That is because Joe Rodon was signed on loan in 2023, and then bought permanently a year later for £10m from Spurs.
But which of those 29 is best all things considered? LeedsUnited.News takes a look at which of Farke’s 29 signings deserves the gold medal, not just because of form but including factors like price, and age.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty ImagesDaniel Farke’s 10 best signing since taking over as Leeds manager10. Sam Byram
Leeds only signed Sam Byram after inviting the defender to train at Thorp Arch. Obviously, a Leeds academy product, and a player that knows Farke well. But no-one expected what was to come.
Byram has since played an important part in the Championship, and made his Premier League debut for Leeds, albeit in the loss to Arsenal. He doesn’t kick up a fuss playing back-up, and offers versatility.
9. Karl Darlow
Bought from Newcastle for a nominal fee believed to be below £400,000, veteran goalkeeper Darlow had to wait for Farke to finally hand him a chance as the no.1. But Darlow has grabbed it with his giant hands.
Darlow was key in getting over the line in Leeds’ last seven Championship games, and has since replaced Lucas Perri superbly with the Brazilian injured. Many would argue he deserves to start ahead of Perri.
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images8. Manor Solomon
While Leeds fans were praying the club didn’t re-sign Solomon towards the end of the summer window, something which Leeds considered, Solomon was a sensational signing for a club in the Championship.
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To convince the Spurs star to drop a division was a masterstroke and his 23 goals and assists, as well as the winner at Plymouth, make Solomon one of Farke’s best signings since he took as Leeds manager.
7. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The jury is still out on Calvert-Lewin. But Leeds needed a top-tier striker and they got one in the form of the 11-time England man, without paying a penny in terms of transfer fee. It saved Leeds plenty of cash.
Calvert-Lewin only has one goal and is underperforming in terms of XG, but Jermaine Beckford says he has been “unbelievable” in other areas, and he’s right. If he scores a few goals, he goes up the rankings.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images6. Gabriel Gudmundsson
There was genuine concern when it was confirmed that Junior Firpo would leave. But Gudmundsson, bought for just £10m, has allayed those concerns with some excellent, dogged performances on the left.
Leeds have got a gem in Gudmundsson, having beaten Everton, Burnley and Fenerbahce to his signature. Just as strong defensively as he is in attack, Gudmundsson has started all seven games and rightly so.
5. Sean Longstaff
Probably Farke’s best bit of business in the summer. Danny Murphy said Leeds had pulled off the best deal of the window with Longstaff, and rightly so. At £15m, Leeds have got themselves a proper player.
He would be higher, had it not been for the fact he’s only started five league games. But already a leader in the Leeds dressing room, Longstaff will be central to Leeds’ survival hopes. A massive signing.
4. Ao Tanaka
Tanaka is yet to do it in the Premier League, but in the Championship he was a revelation last season. All for the price of just £3.4m. Farke said he actually tried to sign Tanaka from Dusseldorf a year beforehand.
The Japan star has become the darling of Leeds supporters and while Tanaka is disappointed over a lack of game time since promotion, he will get his chance. Tanaka is unlucky not to be higher. Bargain deal.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images3. Joe Rodon
If Ethan Ampadu was not at Leeds, Rodon would be captain. Passion, body on the line, a throwback to the old-fashioned centre-back that saw Chelsea fans idolise John Terry. Rodon is just what Leeds fans love.
He might have cost £10m after his initial loan, but it was money well spent. This is a player that is showing he is worth a whole lot more than £10m in the Premier League, even finding the back of the net already.
2. Jayden Bogle
Graham Smyth says Bogle has started better in the Premier League than he did in the Championship with Leeds and he’s right. Just when you think Bogle has reached his limit, he gets better. He cost Leeds £5m.
If Bogle was performing for a top-six club right now, he’d be valued north of £30m. This is a player that is getting better and better the longer he plays for Leeds, and at just £5m, makes him Farke’s best bargain.
1. Ethan Ampadu
Not as much of a bargain as Bogle at £10m from Chelsea, but Ampadu was Farke’s first signing as Leeds boss and it is easy to see why. Some would argue that Ampadu remains Leeds’ best player currently.
Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images
Certainly, most important. Leader, fearless, tactically astute, even versatile. This is a player that has the energy and mobility of a 25-year-old, but the leadership of a manager. Ampadu is Farke’s best signing.