Leeds forced to pay up £24.5million for ‘most expensive player in football history’ as appeal withdrawn

After the Whites canceled his transfer in 2020, Jean-Kevin Augustin barely made an appearance for Leeds United

under Marcelo Bielsa. However, it looks that the club will receive a sizable payment after Leeds United’s appeal

against the £24.5 million compensation awarded to the former striker has been withdrawn from the Court of

Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFA decided in March 2023 that Leeds had to pay Augustin the money after finding the Championship team had

broken their contract when Augustin’s transfer was canceled in 2020. When that portion of the issue was settled in

December 2022, the Whites already paid RB Leipzig a compensation of £15 million.

A statement provided to The Athletic by CAS read: “The appeal in the arbitration CAS 2023/A/9616 Leeds United v

Jean-Kevin Augustin, against the decision issued on 30 March 2023 by FIFA Football Tribunal Dispute Resolution

Chamber (FPSD-6567), was withdrawn.”

Augustin is the most costly player in football history based on cost per appearance, according to football finance

specialist Kieran Maguire. As a result, the Yorkshire team will have to pay the forward £13,715 every second.

In January 2020, Augustin moved to Leeds on a loan from RB Leipzig,

when the team was playing in the Championship.

There was a stipulation in the arrangement that said if Leeds were promoted, the deal would become permanent for £18 million.

In a season marred by the Covid-19 outbreak, United made it into the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa’s

guidance, although Augustin saw little playing time. The striker played just 48 minutes as Leeds emerged victorious

and promoted.

However, the 2020 champions withdrew from the agreement to sign Augustin on a permanent basis,

claiming that the clause had run out due to the postponement of the season’s conclusion. Following that,

the Bundesliga team successfully complained to FIFA, and when Leeds appealed, CAS upheld the decision.

That was not the end of the story, either, as Augustin also submitted a compensation claim to FIFA. According to

documents, the forward negotiated a £2.5 million signing bonus and a five-year contract paying £93,000 per week.

Augustin’s registration was denied by both RB Leipzig and Leeds, leaving the striker free agency.

In October 2020, he signed with Nantes as a result.

With only eight goals in 43 appearances, the Paris-born football player’s move has not been entirely successful.

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