The Most Expensive Defenders in Football History

In modern football, the staggering sums of money exchanged in transfer deals have become a defining feature of the sport. Historically, these astronomical fees were reserved primarily for flamboyant attacking players, whose flair and goal-scoring prowess commanded top dollar. 

The Evolution of Defender Valuations

As the game evolves, so too does the valuation of its players. Today, elite defenders are fetching record-breaking fees, reflecting their increasing importance in contemporary football strategies.

Managers like Pep Guardiola of Manchester City have revolutionised the role of defenders, integrating them into the offensive play and recognising their value beyond merely keeping clean sheets. This tactical shift has elevated the market value of top defenders, who are now seen as integral to both the defence and the initiation of attacks.

In this article, we delve into the most expensive defenders in football history, examining the factors that contribute to their hefty price tags and their impact on the game.

Who is the Most Expensive Defender in Football?

In terms of the most expensive defender in football’s history, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has set a new benchmark. At the start of the 2023/24 season, Guardiola's team secured Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol from German club RB Leipzig for an unprecedented €90 million, according to the reputable football transfer site, Transfermarkt. This acquisition made Gvardiol the most expensive defender in football history.

Gvardiol's move to the Etihad Stadium narrowly surpassed the previous record held by England's Harry Maguire. The Sheffield-born defender transferred from Leicester City to Manchester United for €87 million during the 2019/20 season, holding the title of the world's most expensive defender for just over four years.

Image credit: Premier League

The History of the Most Expensive Defenders

Examining the history of record-breaking transfers for defenders reveals a fascinating evolution. Before Harry Maguire's high-profile move to Manchester United, the record was held by Liverpool FC. 

In the 2017/18 season, Liverpool acquired Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton for an astounding €84.65 million. This transfer shattered the previous record by over €27 million, which had been set just a year earlier when Manchester City signed French fullback Benjamin Mendy from Monaco.

Going further back, the record fee for a defender was held the longest by Manchester United with their signing of England legend Rio Ferdinand in the 2002/03 season. Ferdinand's controversial move from Leeds United to Manchester United was for a then-reported fee of €46 million. This record stood unchallenged for 12 years until Paris Saint-Germain acquired Brazilian defender David Luiz from Chelsea for €49.5 million in 2014.

Each of these transfers reflects the growing importance and valuation of top defenders in football, as clubs increasingly recognise their pivotal role in both defence and initiating attacks.

The Top 20 Most Expensive Defenders in Football

Having explored some of the most significant defender transfers in football history and recognised Josko Gvardiol as the sport’s most expensive defender, here is a comprehensive list of the current top 20 most expensive defenders in football history.

Top Football Defender Transfers of the 2024/25 Season 

The 2024/25 season has redefined the market for top defenders, with clubs investing heavily to fortify their backlines. Manchester United led the charge, securing two key signings, while Arsenal and Chelsea made strategic moves. These high-profile transfers reflect the increasing value of defensive prowess in modern football.

Leny Yoro 

Leny Yoro was the most expensive defender to transfer ahead of the 2024/25 season. The highly-rated Frenchman had an incredible breakthrough season with Lille where he became a regular starter, making 44 appearances across all competitions and scoring three goals. His tremendous efforts earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs expressing interest in him. At one point it seemed that Yoro was destined to join Real Madrid before Manchester United intensified their interest in him. Determined to improve on last season’s eighth-place finish, the Red Devils agreed to pay Lille €62 million, making the 18-year-old one of the highest-paid football defenders.  

Leny Yoro//Getty Images

Maximilian Kilman 

It was always expected that Wolves would eventually struggle to keep hold of Maximilian Kilman, with several clubs showing interest in their key defender. Kilman spent six seasons at Molineux and was appointed club captain after Ruben Neves departed last year. The English centre-back was integral for Wolves last season, starting 37 out of 38 Premier League games and playing 3,308 of a possible 3,420 minutes (96.7%). The West Midlands club did not want to lose Kilman, but West Ham was relentless in their approach for him, eventually coughing up €47.50 million. After the clubs reached an agreement, Kilman was delighted to make the move to East London where he grew up as a young boy. The transfer fee may turn out to be something of a bargain as the 27-year-old has arguably been the Hammers’ best player since joining.  

Matthijs de Ligt 

When a 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt first burst onto the scene at Ajax, many believed that the Dutchman would go on to become one of the best defenders in football history. He made high-profile transfers to Juventus and Bayern Munich, winning league titles with both. But despite winning trophies, De Ligt didn’t quite reach the level expected of him with several lacklustre performances. Despite his struggles, Manchester United had long been admirers of the Dutch defender and wanted to back recently dismissed manager Erik ten Hag, who had coached De Ligt at Ajax. The Red Devils managed to negotiate €45 million with Bayern to sign the 25-year-old, which could prove to be a bargain. Under new boss Ruben Amorim, De Ligt will hope to rediscover his form and become one of the most impactful defensive transfers. Having made a name for himself at such a young age with so many years still ahead of him, he could go on to become one of the defensive football legends.  

Riccardo Calafiori 

Following an impressive showing with Italy at the Euros, Riccardo Calafiori caught the eye of several clubs across Europe. In the latest transfer news of football defenders, it was widely reported that the Bologna player’s next club would be between Chelsea and Arsenal who had both shown the most interest in the 22-year-old. But with the Gunners coming off an impressive season where they finished runners-up in the league, while the Blues missed out on Champions League football, the decision seemed like a no-brainer. Arsenal offered €45 million, which Bologna accepted and Mikel Arteta got his man. It was Bologna's biggest-ever sale and was among the world-record defender transfers. Calafiori has already made an impact at his new club, scoring in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in October. In just a few appearances, his transfer fee already looks like money well spent.  

Riccardo Calafiori//Getty Images

Ian Maatsen 

If you think back just two years ago, it would have been unthinkable for Ian Maatsen to be on a list of the most expensive defenders. The young Chelsea left-back was playing for Charlton Athletic in League One and was loaned the following season to Coventry City in the Championship. His breakthrough spell came in the 2022/23 campaign when loaned out again, this time to Vincent Kompany’s Burnley. Maatsen played a key role in helping the team earn Premier League promotion and was rewarded a place in the PFA Team of the Year. After that, he finally earned a place in Chelsea’s first-team, but limited game time led to another loan. This time Borussia Dortmund came calling and the Dutchman had arguably his best spell, becoming a regular for BVB and helping them reach the UEFA Champions League final. It was enough for Aston Villa to come knocking, and the Midlands club paid Chelsea a whopping €44.50 million.