If Leeds United needed a bit of first-hand advice when they were deciding on Jaka Bijol, they could well have turned to a member of the club’s LUTV team.
Bijol, 26, became the club’s second signing of the summer and the first that actually saw Leeds splash their cash. The Slovenian giant arrived for a fee of £15m, after Leeds had signed Lukas Nmecha on a free.
Both Bijol and Nmecha started for Leeds on Saturday as The Whites drew 0-0 with Manchester United in Sweden. The duo lasted until half-time before they were replaced, with all five signings making debuts.
Bijol is a coup. A player with big Serie A and National Team know-how, he joins after captaining Udinese. Signing a Premier League captain from a 12th-placed side would have been a whole lot more expensive.
Tony Dorigo shares why he’s delighted to see Leeds get Jaka Bijol
But if Leeds needed a final cherry on the top when it came to collecting research, speaking to Leeds icon and LUTV commentator Tony Dorigo may have helped. Dorigo is also a commentator on Serie A games.
During commentary of Leeds’ draw with Man United, Leeds icon Dorigo explained why he was very happy to see The 49ers sign off on a deal for Bijol, having watched the big defender shine for Udinese last term.
“I commentated on Bijol a good few times last season with Udinese. I have to say he has always stood out to me. A real warrior, good temperament, a really good defender. Delighted to see him at Leeds United.”
Jaka Bijol won’t be available against Everton on August 18…
There were murmurs about it following his arrival at Leeds and now it has been confirmed. Bijol won’t be available to play against Everton on August 18, due to a Serie A suspension rolling over from last season.
It means either Pascal Struijk or Sebastiaan Bornauw will start alongside Rodon in the middle of defence. Bijol won’t be able to start for Leeds until The Whites go to Arsenal on the evening of August 23.
If Leeds get a good result against Everton, it will be interesting to see if Farke immediately reverts to Bijol alongside Rodon – or he remains with the player he picks to partner Rodon against David Moyes’ side.
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