Leeds United have announced the signing of Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United.
Daniel Farke’s squad for Leeds United’s return to Premier League competition has begun to take shape, with Sean Longstaff becoming the fifth signing of the summer transfer window.
It’s been a hectic few weeks at Elland Road as Longstaff arrived from Newcastle United on Friday, July 18, over a week on from the signing of left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson in a £10m switch from Lille.
While a replacement for Junior Firpo was absolutely crucial, Leeds also need reinforcements in midfield following the departures of Joe Rothwell and Josuha Guilavogui.
Longstaff brings bags of Premier League experience and a battling, all-action quality to the side. Still, Leeds are also hoping to land another midfielder, too, after reportedly agreeing personal terms with Anton Stach.
Longstaff also joins Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw at Leeds and here’s all the information you need to know about the deal.
- Who is Sean Longstaff? Get to know the Newcastle United hero who has joined Leeds United in the transfer window
How much Leeds United have paid for Sean Longstaff
Though the fee has not been disclosed by the club, it has been widely reported that Leeds have paid an up front fee of £12m for Longstaff, with a further £3m in add-ons also included in the total package.
It initially looked as though Leeds would sign Longstaff for £10m, rising to £12m, but, despite reports to the contrary, that bid was rejected by Newcastle last week.
Leeds were determined to get the deal done, though, and returned with an improved offer that was accepted.
The price represents great value for a homegrown midfielder with 171 Premier League appearances and even a Champions League goal to his name, who is still just 27 years old.
Farke has clearly targeted players with top-level know-how in the window, rather than exciting prospects, in a bid to make a squad that will be able to adapt quickly to the top flight. Longstaff fits the bill.
Leeds have also tried to operate smartly in the transfer window and haven’t been drawn into spending over the odds for targets, like Sunderland, who spent over £30m on Habib Diarra alone.
Instead, the Whites have been canny with their transfer budget, in a bid to save funds for at least one or two marquee signings before deadline day.
The addition of Longstaff takes Leeds’ total spending so far to around £45.4m, which leaves a lot of money in their budget to spend on a striker, goalkeeper, winger like Igor Paixao and another midfielder.
| Player | Transfer fee |
| Lukas Nmecha | Free |
| Jaka Bijol | £15m |
| Sebastiann Bornauw | £5.1m |
| Gabriel Gudmundsson | £10.3m |
| Sean Longstaff | £12m (rising to £15m) |
| Total | £42.4m (rising to £45.4m) |
Sean Longstaff contract at Leeds United
Leeds have announced that Longstaff has signed a four-year contract with the club.
That should keep the Newcastle native at Elland Road for the remaining peak years of his career until 2029.
It’s not yet clear if Longstaff will go straight into Farke’s squad for the friendly against Manchester United on Saturday.
Other than loan stints at Kilmarnock and Blackpool, Longstaff has spent the entirety of his career at boyhood club Newcastle, first joining their academy when he was just nine.
He made 214 appearances, scoring 16 goals, creating 11 assists and winning the Carabao Cup in 2025.
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