Who is Alex Cairns? The Leeds United goalkeeper who Daniel Farke ‘loves’

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Alex Cairns is a professional goalkeeper for Leeds United.

Daniel Farke has a big squad at his disposal at Leeds United, which includes four different goalkeepers.

Lucas Perri arrived for over £13m in the summer transfer window, to go above Karl Darlow in the pecking order.

Illan Meslier remains at the club despite looking destined to leave, and therefore, Alex Cairns has been pushed down to fourth choice.

Yet, the experienced goalkeeper remains a key figure in the Leeds squad and here’s what you need to know about him.

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Alex Cairns age and height

A Yorkshire lad, Cairns was born in Doncaster on January 4, 1993. As of September 2025, he is 32 years of age.

Cairns started his career as a youngster in the Leeds academy, with his only appearance for the club coming as a substitute for the hapless Paul Rachubka in a 5-0 loss to Blackpool.

However, Simon Grayson did not think he was capable of being No.1 and brought in Alex McCarthy on an emergency loan to replace Rachubka, with Andy Lonergan injured. Cairns left Leeds in 2015.

Cairns is only six feet tall, which isn’t the biggest for a goalkeeper.

How much did Leeds United pay for Alex Cairns?

Leeds paid an undisclosed transfer fee to sign Cairns in 2023. The veteran shot-stopper arrived from Salford City.

Though Leeds paid something, it’s understood the fee was very minimal given Cairns’ age and role within Farke’s squad.

Cairns has not played for Leeds since returning and has only been named on the bench once.

Alex Cairns salary at Leeds

Cairns reportedly earns just £5,000 a week at Leeds, which works out at £260,000 a year.

That figure makes him the lowest-paid player in the Leeds squad, but it still isn’t bad money at all to be a fourth-choice goalkeeper.

Alex Cairns career stats

Cairns has enjoyed a career that’s lasted nearly 15 years, starting off at Leeds before returning to Elland Road.

In the years in between, he struggled to find much game time, being signed by clubs as a backup option without getting many chances to play.

However, he joined Fleetwood Town in 2016 and was their No.1 for years, making over 200 appearances.

Here are his career stats in full.

Praise for Alex Cairns

Speaking after Leeds won the Championship title in May 2025, former manager Simon Grayson sang Cairns’ praises, especially with his attitude in the changing room.

“Cairnsy, what a great lad he is. The life and soul of the dressing room. I gave him his debut here years ago. I said to him a few weeks ago, ‘you’ve won the lottery coming back here’,” Grayson told LUTV.

Current boss Farke has also showered Cairns with compliments. He said in December 2024: “I love him, I have to say.

“First of all, it’s good because we don’t have to play against him in the cup competitions anymore. He was outstanding against us and I don’t want to be reminded about this game because he was great in his performance and in what he did with our penalties.

“Overall, I actually love him because he came in knowing exactly about his role, we’ve got Illan, we’ve got Karl, top goalkeepers for this level. But he’s chipped in and tries to prove in each and every training session that he’s the best one that we have.

“I want these players to know their role, but also not to rest. He wants to improve each and every day. He’s one of the hardest-working lads and it’s always a pleasure to have him around because he’s competitive and professional, but always in a good mood with a smile on his face.

“He’s got a good sense of humour and in the dressing room he’s motivational for each and every player, discussing with Illan and Karl about the players of the opponents, to give a hint here and there.

“He’s an experienced lad, obviously not played on the highest level before, so it’s not like he’s already won a Champions League. But it means he has a hunger and desire to deliver on this level. It was totally the right choice to have him with us, he’s obviously club developed and has a high identification.

“I speak quite often about the white blood running through these lads’ veins and Alex is definitely one of them. We need these type of players who more or less every day work their hardest and leave their heart on the pitch. He works his socks off because of the identification with this club.

“How mature he is in the dressing room, it’s not always about the players who play each and every second, it’s about the group. Sometimes, a player who is not that much in the spotlight has the same value for the group. That is my feeling with Alex.”