National League record signings

From Josh Stones to Ollie Palmer, we take a look at the five most-expensive National League signings.

Josh Stones to York City (£370k)

Josh Stones became the most-expensive player in National League history when he made the switch from Wigan Athletic to York City in January 2025.

The 22-year-old moved from Guiseley to Wigan in 2022 but struggled to make his mark with the Latics.

Stones excelled during two loan spells with Oldham Athletic in England's fifth-tier, earning himself the record-breaking switch to York.

Ollie Palmer to Wrexham (£300k)

Wrexham made Ollie Palmer their record signing when they secured his signature from AFC Wimbledon in 2022.

A National League side at the time, Wrexham's rise through the ranks has been well documented over recent years and Palmer was a central figure to their success.

In his three full seasons at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham achieved successive promotions to the Championship.

Dipo Akinyemi to York City (£260k)

York City paid a then club record fee to bring Dipo Akinyemi back to England after a stellar season with Ayr United.

Akinyemi was named Scottish Championship Player of the Season in 2022/23, finishing as the league's top goalscorer after netting 20 goals in 35 appearances.

The 28-year-old has since left the club but played a major part in York retaining their National League status, bagging 15 goals as the club survived by a single point on the last day of the 2023/24 season.

Richard Brodie to Crawley Town (£220k)

Journeyman forward Richard Brodie played for a plethora of sides throughout his career and became, for a while, the most expensive Non-League player ever when he signed for Crawley Town in 2010.

Unfortunately for him, the move didn't quite live up to the lofty price-tag, even despite the club earning promotion to League Two.

Brodie scored 13 goals in 45 matches before being sent on loan to Fleetwood, Morecambe and Grimsby Town.

Ben Tozer to Wrexham (£201k)

Another important part of Wrexham's early success over recent years, Tozer dropped from League One to the National League when signing for the The Reds in 2021.

Clearly above that level, Tozer was named in the National League Team of the Season after his first campaign.

Wrexham were promoted the following year with Tozer spending one more season at the club before leaving to join Forest Green.

*Transfer values according to Transfermarkt.co.uk.