Why Leeds United Wanted Lucas Perri
Lucas Perri is set to take over as Leeds United’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season. At 6 foot 5 inches, the Brazilian stopper brings a commanding presence and a statistical profile that made him one of the most consistent performers in Ligue 1 last season.
From São Paulo to Europe
Beginning his professional career at São Paulo FC, coming through the club’s respected academy system and earning caps with Brazil at U20 and U23 levels. He found regular minutes with Náutico and later Botafogo, where his performances earned widespread praise for their maturity and consistency. In early 2024, Perri made the leap to Europe with Olympique Lyonnais, quickly establishing himself as first-choice and delivering a strong debut season in Ligue 1.
A Stat-Driven Solution to a Lingering Problem
Leeds conceded more goals than expected in the Championship last season, and questions around goalkeeping reliability were never far from the conversation. Perri addresses that concern head-on.
In 33 league appearances for Lyon in 2024/25, Perri posted:
- Save Percentage: 72.5% (4th among Ligue 1 regulars)
- Goals Prevented (Post-Shot xG - Goals Conceded): +6.05
- Clean Sheets: 10
- Errors Leading to Goal: Just 1
- Saves Per 90: 3.52
He consistently outperformed the quality of shots he faced, offering the kind of calm, mistake-free presence Leeds have lacked arguably since Nigel Martyn.
Quiet Confidence, Solid Feet
Perri is no “YouTube highlight keeper.” He does the basics exceptionally well—claims crosses, handles pressure, and positions himself intelligently. But just as importantly for Daniel Farke’s system, he’s comfortable in possession.
- Short Pass Accuracy: ~74%
- Long Ball Accuracy: ~36%
- Progressive Passes per 90: Top third among Ligue 1 keepers
- Sweeper Actions Outside Box: ~0.9 per 90
Perri isn’t flashy on the ball, but he’s efficient—and under Farke, that matters more.
A Defence That Can Finally Breathe
Leeds’ centre-backs will benefit from having a dominant voice behind them. Perri ranked above average in:
- Crosses Claimed %: 9.8%
- High Ball Success Rate: Among the top in Ligue 1
- Pace of Distribution: Quick to release, smart in transition
It’s not just about what he stops—it’s about how he keeps things moving.
Stats disclaimer: All player statistics referenced in this article are sourced from FotMob, FBref, and other publicly available football databases as of the 2024/25 season.
In Summary
Lucas Perri brings presence, poise, and a proven record of consistent performances at the top level and in Europe. His numbers speak for themselves, and his style suits the direction Leeds are headed under Daniel Farke.
He doesn’t need to be loud. He doesn’t need to be flashy. He just needs to do what he’s done in France: keep the ball out of the net—and keep things calm when it matters most.
