Swansea City hit the jackpot with Hull City transfer decision – Leeds United will also agree.

Dropping a price on a 16-year-old is a major gamble in sport, but Swansea City recognised something in livewire Daniel James very early on in his career, and he’s lived up to the hype ever since.

The now-established Wales international arrived at Swansea.com Stadium from Hull City in 2014, first joining Swansea’s under-18s squad for £72,000.

It would take nearly four years for the speedy winger to make his senior debut after the move, and his stay at Swansea after that was about as brief as James’ own.

James spent lasted one full season at Swansea City Stadium before joining Premier League heavyweights Manchester United for £15 million.

And, after four years of being a decent top-flight wide player but nothing genuinely remarkable, a return to the Championship saw Leeds United finally see the potential Swansea saw in him over a decade ago.

Daniel James’ breakout Swansea City season saw him secure big Man United move

Daniel James’ promise was evident throughout his first few seasons at Swansea City. The teenager would go on to dominate the Premier League’s developmental league, making his Swans debut as an 18-year-old on the bench against Oxford United in the FA Cup third round.

James received more unused substitute appearances in the Premier League, but it wasn’t until the Swans were relegated to the Championship in 2018/19 that the winger began to thrive.

Graham Potter’s only season in command of the South Wales club saw him offer an apparently unknown winger his first major breakthrough in the senior game, and Swansea realised they had a great talent on their hands.

His sheer pace and direct attacking style drew the attention of many, including Leeds United, who wanted to end James’ time at Swansea in January 2019, but Marcelo Bielsa let their interest slip when a powerpoint presentation of James appeared on his desktop homescreen during his infamous ‘Spygate’ press conference.

By the end of the transfer window, all was set for the then-21-year-old to join Elland Road on loan, until his home club dropped out at the last minute.

 

 

Ultimately, this proved to be a masterstroke in disguise, as Swansea’s two additional goals and five extra assists in the second half of the season sparked interest from Premier League clubs, most notably Manchester United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed James for up to £18 million, his first signing since taking over as manager of the Red Devils.

It’s unclear how much Leeds would have paid for the winger if his loan move had been permanent, but Swansea are certain to have negotiated a higher profit.

James’ sale that summer was part of a transfer window that saw Swansea rake in a significant amount of money from player sales, with Oli McBurnie moving to Sheffield United for £20 million also.

Swansea were able to reinvest and achieve back-to-back play-off finishes in the following two seasons.

So, while Swans fans would have like to see James play for the club for more than just one season, it’s evident that the sheer profit made from his sale was worthwhile in the end.

Leeds United found true class in Dan James – they hit the jackpot just like Swansea City did

Despite hitting the ground running at Manchester United, scoring in three of his first four Premier League appearances, his stint at Old Trafford never really got going, and Leeds would eventually sign him two and a half years after the deadline day catastrophe. However, it wasn’t until the Whites returned to the Championship that James began to realise the promise he had shown while playing for Swansea under Graham Potter.

James scored 41 Championship goals during Leeds’ two seasons in the second division under Daniel Farke, and many saw him as the focal point of his team’s attacks due to his speed on the counter.

His importance to the side following their 2024/25 Championship title win was highlighted with a new long-term contract, and for someone who was loaned out to Fulham while Jesse Marsch was in charge at Elland Road, his return to the Leeds squad during their time in the second tier was fantastic to see.

James has always had the potential to be a good Premier League wideman, but it wasn’t until he joined Leeds United that he achieved his full ability.

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