Leeds United have finally completed the signing of defender Jaka Bijol from Serie A side Udinese on a deal that will last until the summer of 2030, after days of waiting.
Leeds fans have been forced to remain patient for the best part of a week for the club to announce Bijol’s signing. The 63-time Slovenia ace is said to have passed his Leeds medical as early as last Wednesday.
But the deal is over the line and Bijol has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, a year more than initial reports suggesting a contract would last until June 2029. It is believed Leeds have paid just £15m for him.
Almost £4m cheaper than Fabrizio Romano has reported, who claimed a deal would be €22m (£18.75m). But Sky Sports say a fee is only £15m, as Leeds pull off a bargain to land one of Serie A’s best defenders.
Jaka Bijol sends touching message to Udinese supporters
Bijol has become somewhat of a fan favourite at Udinese after three years at the club, clocking up the best part of 100 matches for the Serie A outfit. In that time, he has become a household Serie A name.
Adam Underwood and the Leeds transfer team have pulled off a coup in landing the 6ft 4in defender, beating the likes of Newcastle United to Bijol’s signature, as well as some of Italy’s biggest institutions.
Taking to Instagram on Monday evening after Leeds announced his arrival at 5pm, Bijol thanked Udinese fans and the club itself for his three-year spell in Italy, having joined the club from CSKA Moscow in 2022.
He said: “I want to thank you all for the incredible 3 years I’ve spent in this beautiful city and this beautiful club… It’s been years of ups and downs for everyone, but for those experiences, I am forever grateful.
“Thank you, for the trust you have placed in me, and especially thank you to all the teammates and the staff. I’ve always given my all for the black and white shirt and I’m forever grateful for all the support!”
Igor Akinfeev and Gerard Deulofeu react to Jaka Bijol’s move
Bijol is clearly a well-liked figure with his career going in an upward curve until now, having impressed in his home country before starring in Russia with CSKA Moscow where he played alongside Igor Akinfeev.
A legendary goalkeeper that fans of Football Manager will know well, a goalkeeper that starred on the World Cup stage. Former Watford and Everton man Gerard Deulofeu also responded to Bijol’s post.
Akinfeev’s message is translated as “Yaka! Top. Good luck”. Bijol’s Udinese and Slovenia teammate Sandi Lovric recently said he hoped Bijol would remain, but he also responded to the defender’s Instagram.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
