EFL League One Transfer Record

Although clubs in the third tier of English football are typically considerably less wealthy than the big fish of the top two divisions, there has still been a number of eye-catching signings made in League One over the years.

We examine the most expensive transfers brokered in the history of League One.

5) Britt Assombalonga - £1.9m

Watford -> Peterborough United (2013)

Peterborough United smashed their transfer record when signing then 20-year-old striker Britt Assombalonga for around £1.9m in the summer of 2013.

Hailing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Assombalonga's 16 goals in 49 games on loan at Southend from Watford in 2012/13 was enough to see the Posh make a move to bring him to London Road.

Assombalonga was earmarked as Peterborough's replacement for Dwight Gayle after the diminutive striker was transferred to Crystal Palace.

4) John Brayford - £2.3m

Cardiff City -> Sheffield United (2015)

After spending a period on loan from Cardiff City at Bramall Lane in the second half of the 2013/14 season, Sheffield United made a permanent move for defender John Brayford in January 2015.

Capable of playing at both right-back and centre-back, Brayford made 48 appearances for the Blades before returning to old club Burton Albion.

3) Will Grigg - £3.4m

Wigan Athletic -> Sunderland (2019)

A prolific goalscorer in the English lower leagues and the original subject of viral football chant 'Freed From Desire', Will Grigg's transfer from Wigan to Sunderland in 2019 is one of the most pricey in the history of League One.

Sunderland snapped up Northern Ireland international Grigg on the back of a 17-goal campaign which helped Wigan achieve promotion to the Championship in 2017/18.

2) Willum Willumsson - £4m

Go Ahead Eagles -> Birmingham City (2024)

One of a plethora of big-money signings made by the ultra-ambitious Birmingham City ahead of the 2024/25 League One season, attacking midfielder Willum Willumsson arrived at St Andrew's with an impressive pedigree in Dutch football.

An Iceland international, Willumsson scored seven goals from midfield for Go Ahead Eagles in the 2023/24 Eredivisie season.

1) Christoph Klarer - £4m

Darmstadt 98 -> Birmingham City (2024)

Austrian centre-back Christoph Klarer was another of Birmingham's most lavish recruits following their relegation to League One in 2024.

A former Austria youth international, the 6ft 3ins centre-back swapped Bundesliga football for League One by making the switch from German side Darmstadt to the Blues.