Leeds United have completed the signing of midfielder Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United in a deal worth over £12 million. The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Elland Road, ending an 18-year journey with his boyhood club.
Longstaff’s transfer comes as part of a busy summer for Leeds following their return to the Premier League. He becomes their fifth signing of the window after sealing the move from Tyneside, where he rose through the ranks after joining Newcastle’s academy at the age of nine.
A New Chapter After a Lifetime at Newcastle
After making his senior debut in 2018, Longstaff went on to register 214 first-team appearances for the Magpies. His early years showed promise, including a standout debut season that even drew interest from Manchester United, though a reported £50 million price tag stalled any potential move at the time.
Despite being a regular in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, he struggled for game time last year. The arrivals of Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and the resurgence of Joelinton saw Longstaff drop down the pecking order. He made only eight Premier League starts and logged just 787 minutes in the top flight last season — with no league starts after Christmas.
Longstaff told LUTV
“I think from the first time I spoke to Leeds, I got a feeling that they really wanted me”
“It just fills you full of confidence and it just makes you want to repay those people. It is a massive, massive football club – similar to Newcastle in a lot of ways.
“It was going to take a lot for me to leave Newcastle to be honest and I wasn’t just going to leave to go anywhere so it had to be the right place for me and my family and I think this is a perfect place.
“Every time I came to play at Leeds the atmosphere was amazing, it was always bouncing and a really tough place to play, and [I’m] just looking forward to having that on my side rather than having to play against.”
Limited Role Despite Silverware Success
Longstaff still featured in 32 matches across all competitions, including five appearances in the Carabao Cup, where Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for domestic silverware with a victory over Liverpool. However, he was an unused substitute in the final.
His exit will be felt emotionally by Newcastle fans, given his long-standing connection with the club. But from a business standpoint, the move represents pure profit under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), as Longstaff is a product of the club’s youth system.
Premier League Experience for Leed’s Midfield
Leeds boss Daniel Farke will be pleased to add a player with 171 Premier League appearances to his midfield. Longstaff brings not only top-flight experience but also a calm presence and high work rate — qualities that will be valuable as Leeds transition back to life in the top division.
This move also holds personal significance, as Longstaff follows in the footsteps of his uncle Alan Thompson, who had a short spell with Leeds during his own professional career.
Smart Business from Leeds
Leeds had an initial £10 million offer rejected earlier this week before successfully agreeing to Newcastle’s valuation. The signing continues the club’s proactive summer strategy, with Longstaff joining:
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Sebastiaan Bornauw
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Jaka Bijol
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Gabriel Gudmundsson
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Lukas Nmecha
These additions reflect Leeds’ commitment to strengthening the spine of the team ahead of a demanding Premier League campaign.
