It doesn’t take much digging into Jaka Bijol’s career to be left impressed, as Leeds United fans can finally be allowed to get excited at the prospect of their latest signing.
Those of a Leeds persuasion have been made to wait by the club before finally celebrating the arrival of Jaka Bijol. It comes after the Slovenia defender reportedly passed a medical as early as last Wednesday.
Leeds have agreed a £15m deal, cheaper than the previously reported £18.75m figure touted prior to Bijol’s confirmation. The 63-time Slovenia star has signed a five-year contract at Leeds until June 2030.
Whether it be his 63 caps at just 26 years of age, that England is the fifth country he has played in, that he is an Udinese favourite or that he’s one of the best defenders aerially in Europe – Bijol is very impressive.
Jaka Bijol tells Bryn Law how many languages he can speak
Following the announcement of Bijol’s arrival, Leeds posted an interview between Bijol and LUTV’s Bryn Law. What was once again, immediately impressive, was just how fluent Bijol was when speaking English.
That is despite Bijol never playing in England before. In an ‘uncut’ video posted on LUTV in the aftermath of his arrival, Bijol is seen speaking to Law before the cameras are turned on about his multilingualism.
Bijol said: “Croatian, it’s a different language. Russian, German – I would say so, but maybe with a coach I would have to practice. I’m not fluent. Five I would say, Italian too,” Bijol told Law, speaking in English.
Jaka Bijol’s contract exceeds any other player by two years
Remarkably, Bijol’s long-term contract is two years longer than any other Leeds player currently at the club. Prior to his arrival, nine players are contracted to Leeds until the summer of 2028 at the moment.
None exceed that. Joe Rodon, Ao Tanaka, Largie Ramazani, Isaac Schmidt, Willy Gnonto, Jayden Bogle, Mateo Joseph, Charlie Crew and the returning Jack Harrison are all contracted to Leeds until June 2028.
The rest of the Leeds squad is closer to now, than 2028. But Bijol far exceeds any Leeds player, with the new signing with The Whites until 2030 – a whole three years more than fellow newbie Lukas Nmecha.
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