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Official: Bijol completes permanent move to Leeds United from Udinese

Samira Vishwas | June 24, 2025 1:18 AM CST

Official: Bijol joins Leeds United from Udinese.

Leeds United have officially announced the signing of 26-year-old defender Jaka Bijol on a permanent transfer from Udinese.

The Slovenia international has joined Leeds for an undisclosed fee, although reports in Italy claim that an agreement was struck between the clubs for a price tag in the region of €22m.

Bijol has put pen to paper on a five-year contract that will run until the summer of 2030.

Bijol, who had been linked with moves to both Inter and Newcastle United earlier in the 2024-25 season, joins Leeds after a three-year spell in Italy, during which time he made 90 top-flight appearances, 95 across all competitions.

He also has 63 caps and one goal at senior international level with Slovenia, having made his debut back in 2018.

He had originally joined Udinese for a fee of just €4m from CSKA Moscow in the summer of 2022.

What Leeds said about Bijol

MONZA, ITALY - DECEMBER 09: Jaka Bijol of Udinese celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Serie A match between Monza and Udinese at U-Power Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) — MONZA, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Jaka Bijol of Udinese celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Monza and Udinese at U-Power Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Leeds United are delighted to announce that Jaka Bijol has joined the club from Italian side Udinese for an undisclosed fee,” a statement on the Leeds United website read.

“The towering central defender has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, committing his future at Elland Road until 2030.

“The 26-year-old makes the move from the Serie A club after enjoying a stellar season in Italy, where he made 37 appearances across all competitions during the last campaign, scoring twice.

“Beginning his career with Rudar Velenje in his homeland, Bijol joins the Whites with a wealth of experience from stints in Russia and Germany, before then linking up with Udinese in 2022.

ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 26: Jaka Bijol of Udinese Calcio heads the ball during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on November 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) (Inter transfer links) — ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Jaka Bijol of Udinese Calcio heads the ball during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on November 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Showing his versatility by originally plying his trade as a defensive midfielder, the Slovenian switched to what has become a familiar role in the heart of defence prior to joining Le Zebrette, with whom he made almost 100 appearances, taking his club total to over 250 matches.

“Included within those, our new arrival has also played in both the Champions League and Europa League, bringing further top-level experience to Daniel Farke’s side.

“As well as at club level, Jaka has impressed on the international stage throughout his career, earning 63 caps for Slovenia since making his debut aged 19 in 2018.

“The defender played every minute for his country in their run to the Round of 16 at last summer’s European Championships, notably helping the side keep a clean sheet against England in the group stage.

“With a number of clubs vying for his signature, we now welcome our second signing of the summer to West Yorkshire and we all now look forward to seeing Jaka play at Elland Road.”