Leeds United have finally announced the signing of Jaka Bijol from Udinese on Monday evening, with the defender putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Elland Road.
The 26-year-old becomes Leeds’ second signing of the summer after the club had already agreed a two-year deal to sign Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, which becomes official on July 1.
Bijol arrives though, as the club’s first major signing – one that instantly improves Daniel Farke’s starting XI. The 63-time Slovenia international is expected to start alongside Joe Rodon at centre-back for Leeds.
The deal sees Bijol become the second-most-expensive transfer ever in Slovenian history, behind only Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko and ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak. Udinese have bid farewell.
Udinese bid emotional farewell to Jaka Bijol on Instagram
Joining Leeds from CSKA Moscow in the summer of 2022, Bijol immediately made an impression with the Serie A club. The defender clocked up 95 appearances for Udinese in three years, scoring five goals.
But with Bijol entering the final year of his contract, Leeds have moved quickly to land the defender even though there was interest from the likes of Newcastle United and some of Italy’s biggest clubs this month.
Udinese have bid an emotional farewell with an Instagram post. They wave goodbye to their star player after three years at the club, in which Bijol has even captained Udinese and played in numerous roles.
“Jaka Bijol bids farewell to Udinese and joins Leeds United. Over 3 seasons, he made 95 appearances, scored 5 goals, and showed great professionalism. Thank you Jaka, and best of luck on this new journey!”
Udinese post clip of Jaka Bijol after move to Leeds is confirmed
Not only did Udinese, who finished in 12th place in last season’s edition of Serie A, send a message to their departing defender, but they also posted a video of his highlights over the last three seasons.
Leeds are working hard to continue adding to the squad, with Adam Underwood likely to prioritise signings like a left-back, goalkeeper, another midfielder, a no.10, a left-winger and a starting striker.
However, The Whites are not deemed close to any signings after Bijol at this moment in time – though that could change quickly given the speed at which Nmecha was announced, prior to Bijol’s signing.
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