What are the most expensive transfers in National League history?

The National League has produced some household names in English football, and it is a division that often offers incredible value for money.

While clubs in the fifth tier may not have the financial might that those in the Premier League and the EFL possess, on occasion, they have paid out significant fees to secure talent.

Of course, the majority of hefty transfers have involved players vacating the National League with the dream of following in Jamie Vardy's footsteps.

Here, DAZN News looks back at the highest estimated transfer fees of incoming and outgoing players in National League history.

Max Kilman (£4.4million)

• Left: Maidenhead United
• Joined: Wolves

When Max Kilman left Maidenhead United to join Premier League side Wolves for an initial £40,000, the Stones could not have imagined the future windfall they would go on to receive.

The Old Gold took a punt on the central defender in 2018, and he became a first-team regular for years to come before securing a £40million move to West Ham United in 2024.

As is commonplace in the National League now, clubs ensure a sell-on clause is inserted into transfer deals so they can yield a substantial future fee.

In the case of Kilman, Maidenhead were entitled to a reported 10% of any future deal, meaning they bagged a total of £4.4m - a significant amount of money for any Non-League club.

"This money that's coming to us will help secure Maidenhead United's first team, women's team, all the community things we do and our infrastructure plans," club chairman Peter Griffin told the Maidenhead Advertiser in 2024.

 

Jamie Vardy (£1.7million)

The greatest and one of the most expensive transfer punts in National League history came in 2012 when Leicester City bought Jamie Vardy from Conference Premier side Fleetwood Town for an initial £1m.

However, the deal included an additional £700,000 in add-ons, which was met in some style as Vardy achieved legend status by guiding the Foxes to the Premier League title in 2016.

The striker bagged 145 top-flight goals for the East Midlands club and lifted the FA Cup with them in 2021, while he also made his mark in the Champions League and Europa League.

Vardy also received 26 England caps and represented the Three Lions at the World Cup and the Euros, scoring in the latter against Wales in 2016.

While the fee for the forward raised eyebrows at the time, it cannot be denied that he has enjoyed the greatest success after leaving the Non-League.

MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Laurent Mendy (£585,000)

The most recent signing on the list is Laurent Mendy, who secured a move to Scottish Premiership heavyweights Hearts from Forest Green Rovers this summer for an initial fee of £585,000, although that could rise to a more substantial figure.

According to the Green, if all targets are met, then the deal could rise to £1m, which would make it a club-record sale for the Non-League outfit.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity for Mendy," manager Robbie Savage told the club website.

"I could not stand in his way of progressing his career and bettering his and his family's life, whilst getting a record fee received for the club. They've got a fantastic player and a fantastic person. I'm incredibly proud of him."

The centre-back became an integral figure during his sole season at the New Lawn, notching 51 appearances in all competitions as the club reached the play-offs.

Shwan Jalal (£510,000)

• Left: Woking
• Joined: Peterborough United

Peterborough United have a history of targeting the National League for affordable prospects with high ceilings, with their most expensive outlay on Woking goalkeeper Shwan Jalal.

Like most of the transfers at the Non-League level, the fee for this deal was undisclosed, but it is estimated that Posh paid £510,000 to sign the shot-stopper in 2007.

The Baghdad-born keeper started his career with Tottenham and then had spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United before joining the Cards.

Jalal barely featured for Peterborough and made most of his appearances for Bournemouth while they were in League One.

Now, the former player is working as a goalkeeping coach for Premier League side Newcastle United.

Jack Taylor (£500,000)

• Left: Barnet
• Joined: Peterborough United

You will have to get used to seeing Peterborough in this article because they feature prominently.

When Posh signed Jack Taylor from Barnet in 2020, the midfielder already had EFL pedigree, having made 52 appearances in League Two before the Bees were relegated to the National League.

Unlike the deal to bring Jalal to the Weston Homes Stadium, this one was a roaring success as Taylor went on to make 137 appearances for the club while guiding them to the Championship in 2021.

Posh made a profit on the central midfielder when they sold him to Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee in 2023, and he was a regular during their 24/25 season in the Premier League.

George Nevett (£400,000)

• Left: Rochdale
• Joined: Peterborough United

Shock horror, it is the return of Posh, who this time raided National League side Rochdale in the summer of 2024 for upcoming talent George Nevett.

The teenage centre-back made 34 appearances in the fifth tier before Peterborough snapped him up for an estimated £400,000.

"When I look at young players like Ronnie Edwards, who came here from Barnet at a similar age to me, I really do have role models for what I am looking to achieve in my own career," Nevett told the Peterborough website.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson stated that the club had been watching the defender closely in the National League, and it would be unsurprising if they are not scouting the division in detail this term.

Josh Stones (£360,000)

• Left: Wigan Athletic
• Joined: York City

Josh Stones is an anomaly on the list as he moved from the EFL to the National League.

Although the forward struggled to make an impact at League One outfit Wigan Athletic, he turned heads in the National League after signing for York City for an estimated £360,000.

While Stones was unable to help the Minstermen achieve promotion at the end of the 2024-25 season, he scored the decisive stoppage-time goal as the club secured the title on the final day against Rochdale.

York's drive to return to the Football League was always evident, given that they also paid a substantial figure for Dipo Akinyemi in 2023.

York City FC

The National League, only on DAZN

Watch over 400 National League games this season with a DAZN NLTV subscription. Each National League side will be shown live more than 30 times in the season, with full match replays and highlights available for every game.

Subscribe to the full Season Pass for £129.99 or in monthly instalments of £14.99 per month. Or get a Monthly Pass for £19.99.

For more information and to sign up, click here now.