Who is Jaka Bijol? Leeds United confirm signing with old-school versatility in long-awaited deal — YEP 23/6/25
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Slovenian
international defender Jaka Bijol.
The 26-year-old signs a long-term contract at Elland Road, joining from Udinese for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £15 million.
Bijol emerged as a top defensive target earlier this summer
and Leeds have moved swiftly to secure his signature despite late, reported
interest from Premier League rivals.
The 6ft 4in centre-back is renowned for his aerial prowess
in both boxes and can play with the ball at his feet, too, occasionally
switching play to wingers further upfield. Last week, he flew in for a medical
after tying the knot with his partner, undergoing the customary pre-signing
physical tests on Wednesday.
Bijol is vastly experienced at international level having
earned 63 caps for his country, the first of which whilst still a teenager. He
also appeared at the most recent UEFA European Championships, featuring in
Slovenia's 0-0 draw with England in the group stage and has captained his
country on four occasions.
A club statement released by Leeds on Monday read:
"Leeds United are delighted to announce Jaka Bijol has joined the club
from Italian side Udinese, for an undisclosed fee. The towering central
defender has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, committng his future at
Elland Road until 2030."
Bijol becomes Leeds' second signing of the summer window,
after United announced the arrival of Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer last
weekend. The former Germany international has signed a two-year deal at Elland
Road, leaving VfL Wolfsburg and the Bundesliga after an injury-hit four-year
stay. Nmecha, 26, qualifies as a homegrown player having graduated Manchester
City's academy setup.
Leeds' two new arrivals could make their official debuts on
the opening matchweek of the Premier League season when United host Everton at
Elland Road on Monday, August 18. Both are expected to feature heavily
throughout pre-season with a tour of Germany expected to be announced in
addition to friendlies versus Manchester United, Villarreal and AC Milan to
come.
Bijol background
The Slovenian's footballing journey began with NK Dravograd
and later became part of NK Bravo's academy. In 2017, aged 18 he joined NK
Rudar Velenje who were, at the time, a top flight club in Slovenia.
Bijol's striking frame and one season as a regular with
Rudar, where he functioned as a defensive midfielder, convinced decorated
Russian club CSKA Moscow to part with £350,000 to acquire the player on a
five-year contract.
Shortly after the beginning of the 2018/19 season, Bijol
made his UEFA Champions League debut with CSKA, again as a defensive
midfielder, and completed 90 minutes in a famous 1-0 victory over Real Madrid.
Bijol would also make his senior international bow three days after the win
over the Spanish side.
Due to his stature, Bijol was occasionally used as a
centre-forward alongside Fedor Chalov by CSKA boss Viktor Goncharenko. As the
2019/20 season progressed, the Slovenian began to feature at centre-back more
often, too.
Bijol's first experience of football in Western Europe came
the season after, as he joined Hannover 96 on loan, who were seeking promotion
from 2. Bundesliga back to the top flight.
"Bijol is the next important piece of the puzzle for
our team. He is a tall player who embodies exactly what we need at number six:
Jaka is technically skilled, but can also clear the pitch. We are happy that he
is here now and are convinced that he will be a reinforcement for us,"
sporting director Gerhard Zuber said at the time.
He would go on to play 31 times over the course of the loan
spell, predominantly as a defensive midfielder, as the club finished 13th
before returning to Russia with CSKA.
Bijol became an important member of the Moscow-based team
upon his return, holding down the centre-back position under Aleksey
Berezutskiy.
After one full season as a regular, starting centre-back,
and the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, Italian club Udinese
snapped up the towering defender for approximately £3.5 million. He would
continue in a more defensive role for club and country.
Bijol continued to impress in Italy, successfully battling
relegation and a foot fracture during his second season with the club. Upon his
return to the side after a lengthy spell out, Udinese managed to maintain their
top flight status by going unbeaten in their final five matches of the 2023/24
campaign, Bijol featuring in every minute.
Last season, Bijol appeared 37 times across all
competitions, missing just four league matches and captaining the team a dozen
times, as Udinese finished the campaign in mid-table.
