Leeds United have got themselves an absolute bargain in Jaka Bijol, cheaper than reported £18.75m fee — Leeds United News 23/6/25
Will Butcher
Leeds United have finally announced a deal to sign Jaka
Bijol from Udinese, with the Slovenian star putting pen to paper on a five-year
contract at Elland Road.
Leeds fans were made to wait after reports claimed last
Wednesday that the 26-year-old defender had passed a medical at Elland Road.
Yet, it has taken until Monday evening for Leeds to announce a move.
The 63-time Slovenia international has penned a five-year
contract at Leeds, which is expected to last until the summer of 2030. Bijol
becomes Leeds’ second summer signing after bringing in Lukas Nmecha.
Initial reports, however, suggested that Leeds had paid an
£18.75m fee to sign Bijol from Udinese. A fee that would make Bijol Slovenia’s
second-most-expensive transfer ever. But that is now not the case.
Sky Sports share the true amount Leeds are paying for Jaka
Bijol
The 49ers have handed Leeds a whopping £150m transfer budget
and making a few savings here and there will be key in helping Leeds bring in
the amount of players they need, with an influx expected.
Bijol was believed to have cost Leeds £18.75m, with Fabrizio
Romano repeatedly reporting that a €22m fee would change hands. However, Sky
Sports say it is actually a lot cheaper than the initially reported fee.
Indeed, Sky actually say Bijol will only cost £15m – saving
Leeds almost £4m from initial reports of a near-£19m fee. A wonderful bit of
business from Leeds, taking advantage of Bijol’s contract at Udinese.
Bijol is widely renowned as being one of the best central
defenders in the air, in Europe’s top-five leagues. His form at Udinese has
caught the eye in Italy certainly, with clubs like Milan, Napoli and Juventus
linked.
In England, Newcastle United were touted with a move for
Bijol. So, to land the Slovenian ace for just £15m is a wonderful bit of
business by Adam Underwood and his under-pressure transfer team at Leeds.
Udinese’s farewell and emotional goodbye to Bijol shows just
how much they rate the defender. Many believe he will go alongside Joe Rodon in
defence, as Leeds make their first serious move of the window.