49ers masterclass as Leeds sign ‘one of the best’ after Jaka Bijol transfer news
Leeds United have continued their preparations for the Premier League by signing Slovenian defender Jaka Bijol.
The 26-year-old arrives from Udinese in a transfer worth an estimated £15million, following Lukas Nmecha through the doors at Elland Road.
Now, an Italian football specialist has heaped praise on Leeds and Daniel Farke for the signing.
Italian football journalist praises Bijol
Bijol showed the world his ability when he put on a masterclass for Slovenia against England in the 2024 European Championships.
Slovenia needed a draw to qualify from the group stages in that game, and Bijol was immense as he led his country to a clean sheet that sealed a 0-0 draw.
Alessandro Schiavone, a journalist who specialises in Italian football, has said that Bijol is one of the best defenders in Serie A and has tipped the Slovenian to make an instant impact on the Premier League.
In a post on X, he said: “Leeds United have signed one of the best Serie A centre-backs outside the traditional top six. If you ask me now, he can have a similar impact to that of Nikola Milenkovic at Nottingham Forest.”
Bijol spent three seasons at Udinese and four years at CSKA Moscow before that, so he has plenty of experience playing at the highest level.
If this transfer turns out to be another masterclass from the 49ers Enterprises group, that will significantly boost the chances of Leeds surviving.
More signings are needed if Leeds are to avoid a relegation scrap
Leeds have started the transfer window brightly, but they’ll need more signings to avoid a relegation scrap in the Premier League next year.
Farke and the 49ers will be under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of them, having seen all of the last six promoted sides go back down with a whimper.
| 2024-25 Premier League standings | Club | Points |
| 18th | Leicester | 25 |
| 19th | Ipswich | 22 |
| 20th | Southampton | 12 |
The Whites have also submitted an improved bid for RC Stasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, who would strengthen the first team further if he arrives at Elland Road.
If Junior Firpo and Mateo Joseph both depart as expected, there should be more funds available for further signings than what are planned.
Strength in depth is needed at Leeds, and the 49ers look set to give Farke the money to make that happen.
And the good news is: there’s plenty of time left in the transfer window to make it happen.
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