The 10 most expensive Championship transfers of all time

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 14 Oct 2024 12:40 CDT
• 6 min read

The Championship was the second most-viewed league in world football during the 2023-24 season, behind only the Premier League.

Although it’s a second tier division, it is home to some of the biggest clubs in England and many have dubbed it ‘the best league in the world.’

With parachute payments helping clubs who are relegated from the Premier League, Championship clubs have spent large sums on transfers over the past few years.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 most expensive Championship transfers of all time.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive Premier League transfers of all time

10. Jonathan Kodjia - €12.8m (Bristol City to Aston Villa, 2016)

Jonathan Kodjia bagged 18 league goals in his only season at Bristol City and his form prompted Aston Villa to spend big in order to sign him.

He netted 19 goals in 36 Championship games in his debut campaign at Villa Park, but an ankle injury halted his progress and Kodjia was eventually sold to Al-Gharafa in 2020.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive La Liga transfers of all time

9. Benik Afobe - €13.5m (Wolves to Stoke, 2019)

Following his failure to break into Arsenal’s first-team, Benik Afobe became an EFL journeyman, and he enjoyed three separate spells at Wolves.

He left the club for the final time to join Stoke in January 2019, where he scored just nine goals in 51 appearances. After three loan stints away from Stoke, he joined Millwall on a permanent deal in 2022.

8. Joel Piroe - €14m (Swansea to Leeds, 2023)

After progressing through the PSV youth set-up, Joel Piroe found first-team opportunities hard to come by and he joined Swansea City for just over €1m in 2021.

He netted 46 goals in just 96 games for the Swans, and earned himself a €14m move to Leeds in 2023.

7. Harry Wilson - €14m (Liverpool to Fulham, 2021)

After successful loan stints at Derby, Bournemouth and Cardiff, Harry Wilson finally left Liverpool on a permanent deal to join Fulham for €14m in 2021.

Wilson had made just two senior appearances for the Anfield side, and he contributed 10 goals and 20 assists in his debut Championship season at Fulham as they achieved promotion back to the Premier League.

6. Ross McCormack - €14.3m (Fulham to Aston Villa, 2016)

Ross McCormack was arguably the best player in the Championship from 2011 to 2016. He notched 154 goals and assists in 257 games across his time at Leeds United and Fulham, which convinced Aston Villa to spend over €14m on him in 2016.

However, he was soon exiled by Steve Bruce and was sent on four loan spells before being released in 2019.

5. Helder Costa - €15m (Benfica to Wolves, 2017)

Helder Costa initially joined Wolves on loan in 2016, but the move was made permanent in January 2017 for a fee of €15m - a club record at the time.

Costa helped Wolves achieve promotion in 2018, but he left to join Leeds in 2020, having made 109 for the Molineux outfit.

4. Joao Carvalho - €15m (Benfica to Nottingham Forest, 2018)

Joao Carvalho had made just 10 first-team appearances for Benfica when Nottingham Forest decided to spend a club record €15m to sign him in 2018.

He was a key player during his debut campaign at the City Ground, contributing 12 goals and assists in the league, but his influence waned in his second season and after a loan spell at Almeria, he was sold to Olympiacos in January 2022.

3. Britt Assombalonga - €17.1m (Nottingham Forest to Middlesbrough, 2017)

Britt Assombalonga was one of the most exciting forwards in the EFL during his time at Peterborough and Nottingham Forest, which prompted Middlesbrough to submit a €17.1m bid for his services in 2017.

Assombalonga once again impressed during his time at the Riverside Stadium, scoring 47 goals in 161 games, but he was unable to help them achieve promotion back to the Premier League.

He joined Adana Demirspor on a free transfer after four years at Middlesbrough.

2. Ruben Neves - €17.9m (Porto to Wolves, 2017)

Ruben Neves became the youngest ever Champions League captain during his time at Porto, but he left to join the Portuguese revolution at Wolves, spearheaded by super agent Jorge Mendes.

Neves played a key role as Wolves achieved promotion back to the top flight in 2018 and he eventually made 253 appearances for the club, becoming a legend at Molineux, before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

1. Mike Tresor - €18m (Genk to Burnley, 2024)

Mike Tresor is the most expensive player in Championship history, thanks to his €18m permanent move from Genk to Burnley in 2024.

The Belgian winger initially moved to Turf Moor on loan, but Burnley were obliged to make the deal permanent for €18m after he made more than five appearances during his debut campaign at the club.

The 10 most expensive Championship signings of all time