Leon Bailey has established himself as one of Jamaica’s most successful football exports and a key player for Aston Villa in the English Premier League. The dynamic winger, known for his blistering pace and technical skills, has seen his value rise substantially since arriving in England in 2021.
Here, you will know Leon Bailey’s net worth, salary, earnings, contract, stats, career, girlfriend, and detailed information.
Leon Bailey’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leon Patrick Bailey Butler |
| Date of Birth | August 9, 1997 |
| Age | 27 (as of May 2025) |
| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Place of Birth | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Height | 1.78 m (5’10”) |
| Weight | 69.84 kg (11 st) |
| Position | Right Winger |
| Current Club | Aston Villa |
| Turned Pro | 2015 (with Genk) |
| Net Worth | €15 million (approximately $17 million) |
| Salary | £120,000 weekly (£6,240,000 annually) |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Stephanie Hope |
| @leonbailey (890K followers) | |
| @leonbailey (94.1K followers) |
Early Career
Leon Bailey’s football journey began in the Cassava Piece region of Kingston, Jamaica, where he was raised. His path to professional football was shaped significantly by Craig Butler, who adopted Bailey and 22 other children to play for his Phoenix All-Star Academy.
Butler worked tirelessly, even taking jobs as a toilet cleaner, to save money to send Bailey and his biological son Kyle to Europe in pursuit of their football dreams.
At just 13 years old, Bailey moved to Europe, marking the beginning of his international football journey. However, his early days weren’t without challenges. Despite catching the eye of Belgian club Genk, strict FIFA regulations on minors prevented them from immediately offering him a contract. Bailey nearly joined Standard Liège, but the transfer was blocked because Butler lacked a work permit.
The young winger persevered through these obstacles, signing with Austrian non-league side Anif Jugend before moving to Liefering. In 2013, Bailey signed his first professional contract with Slovakian side Trenčín.
He even reached a verbal agreement with Dutch giants Ajax, but again FIFA rules prevented the transfer from materializing. These early setbacks only strengthened Bailey’s resolve to succeed in European football.
Professional Career
Bailey’s breakthrough came in 2015 when he joined Belgian club Genk from Trenčín. His talent quickly became apparent as he showcased his exceptional speed, dribbling ability, and eye for goal.
His performances in Belgium earned him the prestigious Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year award for the 2015-16 season, cementing his status as one of the most promising young talents in European football.
His success at Genk attracted interest from several major clubs, with German side Bayer Leverkusen securing his signature in January 2017. Bailey continued his upward trajectory in the Bundesliga, becoming one of the league’s most dangerous wide players.
During the 2017-18 season, he was named to the Bundesliga Team of the Season after registering 9 goals and 6 assists, making him one of the most productive wide men in the league, ahead of established stars like Arjen Robben.
After four and a half successful seasons in Germany, Bailey made his move to the English Premier League, joining Aston Villa in August 2021 for a reported £25-30 million transfer fee. Despite some injury setbacks during his early time at Villa Park, Bailey has established himself as a vital player under manager Unai Emery.
His contract was extended in February 2024, reflecting the club’s faith in his abilities and his importance to their ambitious project. On the international stage, Bailey represents Jamaica, having made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in 2019.
Girlfriend
Leon Bailey shares his life with his longtime girlfriend, Stephanie Hope. The couple’s relationship began in 2019, and they went public with their romance in 2020, frequently sharing their happiness with fans on social media platforms. Their bond deepened with the arrival of their son, Leo Cristiano Bailey, born in June 2021, adding a new dimension to their relationship.
Stephanie has gained public attention in her own right as one of the stars of Amazon Prime’s reality series “Married to the Game,” which follows the lives of partners of prominent footballers.
On the show, she has opened up about the challenges and realities of being in a relationship with a professional athlete, including the struggles they face at home despite their glamorous public image.
The couple experienced a terrifying moment in June 2022 when they were involved in a serious car accident in Jamaica. Bailey described it as “one of the worst moments” he had experienced, with their vehicle flipping over. Fortunately, both Stephanie and their son Leo emerged from the crash with minor or no injuries.
Through both good times and challenging periods, Stephanie has remained Bailey’s steadfast supporter, with Bailey once referring to her as “the superhero of our little family” in a birthday tribute, acknowledging her strength and unwavering support.
Leon Bailey’s Net Worth Details
Leon Bailey’s net worth is estimated to be €15 million as of 2025.
Contract
Bailey’s current contract with Aston Villa runs until June 30, 2027, having been extended in February 2024. The contract includes an option for an additional year, potentially keeping him at Villa Park until 2028.
This extension demonstrates Aston Villa’s commitment to Bailey as they continue to build a competitive team capable of challenging for European places.
The contract security gives Bailey stability as he approaches what should be the peak years of his career between ages 27-30, while also allowing Villa to protect the value of one of their prized assets.
Salary
Leon Bailey earns a substantial weekly salary of £120,000 at Aston Villa, which translates to an annual income of £6,240,000. This makes him one of the higher earners at the club, jointly ranked as the sixth highest-paid player alongside teammates John McGinn and Lucas Digne.
This represents a significant increase from his earlier years in professional football and reflects his status as an established Premier League performer. Bailey’s salary puts him among the elite earners in Jamaica, making him the highest-paid Jamaican player in the English Premier League, ahead of countrymen like Michail Antonio (£85,000 weekly), Bobby Reid (£35,000 weekly), and Ethan Pinnock (£30,000 weekly).
Career Earnings
| Year | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | £120,000 | £6,240,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2023-2024 | £120,000 | £6,240,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2022-2023 | £65,385 | £3,400,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2021-2022 | Not available | Not available | Aston Villa |
| 2020-2021 | £34,551 | £1,700,000 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2019-2020 | £34,551 | £1,700,000 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2018-2019 | £65,811 | £3,400,000 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2017-2018 | £32,626 | £1,600,000 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2016-2017 | £31,524 | £1,600,000 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2016-2017 | Not available | Not available | Racing Genk |
| 2015-2016 | £987 | £51,333 | Racing Genk |
Endorsements
His most prominent sponsorship is with Nike, who serve as his official outfitter, providing him with boots and other equipment. In March 2022, Bailey became a brand ambassador for Flow, a major telecommunications company in the Caribbean.
This partnership aligns with Bailey’s commitment to giving back to his Jamaican roots, as he stated that the collaboration would support his Leon Bailey Foundation’s community initiatives across Jamaica.
The foundation focuses on helping disadvantaged youth and improving communities, with Bailey frequently emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities similar to those he received.
Career Stats
| Club | Period | League Apps (Subs) | League Goals | Cup Apps (Subs) | Cup Goals | European/Other Apps (Subs) | European/Other Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa | 2021-Present | 69 (41) | 16 | 9 (4) | 1 | 16 (5) | 5 | 144 | 22 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2017-2021 | 83 (36) | 28 | 0 (0) | 0 | 21 (16) | 11 | 156 | 39 |
| Genk | 2015-2017 | 37 (7) | 6 | 0 (0) | 0 | 16 (1) | 6 | 61 | 12 |
| Career Total | 189 (84) | 50 | 9 (4) | 1 | 53 (22) | 22 | 361 | 73 |
FAQs
1. What clubs has Leon Bailey represented in his senior career?
Leon Bailey’s senior career began at Belgian side Genk in 2015, where he made 56 league appearances and scored eight goals. He joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2017, registering 28 goals in 119 Bundesliga matches, before moving to Premier League club Aston Villa in August 2021.
2. What key achievements has Bailey earned during his time in European competitions?
Bailey was named Belgian Young Footballer of the Year in 2016, finished as German Cup runner-up with Bayer Leverkusen in 2019-20, and became the first Jamaican player both to score and assist in UEFA Champions League history while representing Aston Villa in the 2024-25 season.
3. How has Leon Bailey impacted Aston Villa since his arrival?
Since joining Aston Villa in August 2021, he has made over one hundred league appearances, scored 16 Premier League goals and provided key contributions such as match-winning strikes against Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United, helping the club secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification in 2024.
4. What is Leon Bailey’s record with the Jamaica national team?
Leon Bailey debuted for Jamaica’s senior team in June 2019 and has since amassed 34 international caps and six goals. He previously scored in his lone under-23 appearance in 2015 and has featured in multiple CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments.
5. What injuries and transfer developments has Bailey experienced recently?
Bailey’s time at Aston Villa has been punctuated by multiple muscle injuries—including hamstring, quadriceps, thigh and ankle issues—which limited his starting opportunities in his debut season. Ahead of the 2025 summer window, the club confirmed they are open to transfer offers to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad.
