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) Joe Taylor - €3.30m

Luton -> Huddersfield

Despite failing to score in any of his 13 Championship contests in the opening half of the 2024/25 term for Luton, Huddersfield signed centre forward Joe Taylor for a reported €3.30m fee in the January transfer window.

He scored twice in 15 games for the League One outfit, as his side recorded an underwhelming 10th placed finish.

4) Will Grigg - €3.40m

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.

3) 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.

2) Christoph Klarer - €4.15m

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.

1) Jay Stansfield - €17.80m

Fulham -> Birmingham

Birmingham made a mockery of the previous League One transfer records in the 2024/25 term, but it was the acquisition of €17.80m rated Jay Stansfield that took the league by surprise.

Enjoying a fruitful loan spell with the club in the 2023/24 Championship term, the striker scored 19 league goals upon his return as his side shattered the all time League One points tally with 111.