It was expected a few days earlier, but Leeds United finally announced the arrival of defender Jaka Bijol on Monday evening with the Slovenian ace signing a five-year contract.
The 26-year-old defender has become Adam Underwood’s second signing of the window after a deal to sign Lukas Nmecha on a two-year deal from July 1 was agreed. It is just the tip of the iceberg for Leeds.
The Whites are expected to pursue a new goalkeeper, left-back, midfielder, no.10, left winger and a big-money striker despite the addition of Nmecha. Landing Bijol for a bargain £15m is seen as a real coup.
Leeds posted a number of bits on their social media channels regarding 63-time Slovenia international Bijol including an interview with Bryn Law, and a behind-the-scenes video of Bijol’s arrival at Elland Road.
Jaka Bijol’s first Elland Road impressions caught off-camera
Bijol will be front and centre when Leeds return to action next season and is widely expected to start alongside Joe Rodon. The former CSKA Moscow man has played as a left-sided centre-back at Udinese.
The centre-back is very impressive, even telling Bryn Law he can speak five languages – including Russian and German. On LUTV’s uncut video, Bijol is seen saying he likes how close the fans are to the pitch.
“I like the closeness, you know what I mean,” Bijol is caught saying by Leeds United’s Uncut video, before one of his representatives responds by comparing it to Genoa: “Genoa is close, huh?”, and Bijol agrees.
What Jaka Bijol has promised to Leeds United fans already
The addition of Bijol is a clear indication that Leeds feel set-pieces will be vital next season. Only four players were better aerially than Bijol during the 2024-25 season in Serie A, with Bijol an aerial force.
That is in both boxes, too. Bijol has played as a midfielder before and was even used as a target-man striker during his time in Russia. He has promised Leeds fans that he will give his all to keep Leeds up.
Bijol told LUTV in his first interview: “I can promise that I will give everything, that I will give everything in every training as well to be ready for the first game of the season and then just go from there.”
The Whites begin their season with a home clash against Everton, which sees an instant return for Angus Kinnear. Then, a trip to Arsenal at The Emirates before returning to Elland Road to host Newcastle.
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