Leeds sign Udinese centre-back Bijol until 2030

Leeds United has officially announced the signing of Slovenian centre-back Jaka Bijol from Udinese on a five-year contract, marking him as the club's second acquisition of the summer transfer window. The specific transfer fee remains undisclosed. Bijol, who is 26 years old, has made a notable impact during his time at Udinese, featuring in 95 matches across all competitions and scoring two goals in the previous season, where he played 37 times. His addition to the Leeds squad is seen as a strategic move to bolster their defense ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. Bijol expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating, "This is a big day for me, for my family and I'm happy to be here," emphasizing the significance of this transfer in his career and his readiness to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in the Premier League.

Originally starting his career as a defensive midfielder in Slovenia with Rudar Velenje, Bijol has developed into a versatile defender. He has had stints in prominent clubs, including a loan at Hannover 96 in Germany, before securing a permanent move to Udinese in 2022. His experience extends beyond club football, as he has accumulated 63 international caps for Slovenia since making his debut at the age of 19 in 2018. Bijol also brings with him valuable Champions League experience, which could prove beneficial for Leeds as they aim to strengthen their squad for the new season. He is committed to giving his all in training and looks forward to contributing to the team's success, stating, "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."