(Credit: Hasan Karim)

Jaka Bijol signs - Which defender Daniel Farke could axe at Leeds

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

20 Jun 2025, 1:30 am

Leeds United will kick off their Premier League return by hosting Everton at Elland Road.

The Toffees will certainly head into that match as favourites, given the tremendous job David Moyes has done in the North West.

However, the Peacocks can challenge Everton by signing players who can make an immediate impact in the top flight.

That looks to be exactly what they're doing, and as the Whites close in on the acquisition of Jaka Bijol from Udinese, it is time to analyse just where he will fit in Daniel Farke's team.

Bijol is set to ditch the black and white stripes of Udinese (Credit: Imago)

Farke must axe Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, or Ethan Amapadu

Bijol has undergone his medical at Leeds ahead of his expected move to the Premier League club.

Newcastle were also in the running for Bijol, but decided against a move. As a result, the centre-back looks set to become the Whites' second signing of the summer after Lukas Nmecha.

With his arrival impending, this could have a big impact on one of Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, and Ethan Ampadu, who have been first-team regulars.

Rodon started every single one of Leeds' Championship matches last season, while Struijk began over 30.

As for Amapadu, he played less than 30 times, but this was largely due to a knee injury. Seeing as Ampadu is the Whites' captain, it would make sense for him to start alongside Bijol in the heart of the defence.

The Slovenian international is bound to start, given his Serie A pedigree and impressive statistics.

Leeds United target Jaka Bijol's stats last season in Serie A.

Bijol's statistics last season in Serie A. (Credit: Imago)

Leeds United need to make more additions

A new goalkeeper will certainly be on the agenda after Ilan Meslier's catastrophic Championship campaign. With that in mind, Newcastle's Nick Pope would be worth a punt, given James Trafford could move to the North East.

Elsewhere, the Peacocks would love a proven goalscorer in their ranks to challenge Golden Boot winner Joel Piroe.

Callum Wilson has been strongly linked with a move to Elland Road, but his fitness record could put the Whites off. It will be intriguing to see if Leeds target Premier League experience, as it would aid their survival mission.

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Jaka Bijol