What Lucas Radebe posted on social media less than an hour after Leeds United confirmed Jaka Bijol’s arrival

Leeds United Finally Confirm Signing of Jaka Bijol in £15m Deal from Udinese

After an anxious wait that stretched on longer than most fans had anticipated, Leeds United officially announced the signing of Slovenian international Jaka Bijol on Monday evening. The announcement came several days after reports confirmed that the player had successfully completed his medical on Wednesday night.

Bijol, a 63-cap veteran for Slovenia, has made the move from Italian Serie A side Udinese for a reported fee of £15 million. The 25-year-old has penned a five-year deal with the Whites, committing his future to Elland Road until the summer of 2030. He becomes the club’s second signing of the summer transfer window, following the earlier arrival of forward Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer.

While the summer window is still in its early stages, Leeds are expected to remain very active in the market. Sporting director Adam Underwood is believed to have a long list of targets to reinforce Daniel Farke’s squad as they prepare for a return to the Premier League. That said, the acquisition of Bijol is already being viewed as a statement signing — a solid piece of business that addresses one of the club’s most pressing needs: defensive solidity and top-flight experience.

For just £15 million, many supporters see Bijol’s arrival as a bargain, particularly when considering his leadership qualities and top-level international experience. The expectation heading into the 2025/26 season is that Bijol will form a new-look centre-back partnership alongside Joe Rodon. This pairing would allow manager Daniel Farke to shift Ethan Ampadu back into his more natural midfield role, while also enabling Pascal Struijk to provide cover or potentially move on if other defensive reinforcements arrive.

Leeds Legend Reacts to Bijol’s Arrival

Within minutes of the official announcement, club legend Lucas Radebe took to social media to express his excitement. The former Whites captain welcomed the signing and shared his optimism for the new season under a refreshed Leeds side. “Looking forward to an exciting new season with a new-look Leeds United. Very interesting,” Radebe posted — a sentiment that echoed the mood of many fans.

Radebe’s public support also served as a small victory for Adam Underwood, who faced initial skepticism from supporters after stepping into the sporting director role. With the Bijol signing now completed, Underwood earns early credit for what appears to be a promising recruitment strategy.

Behind the Scenes: Bijol’s First Day at Leeds

Following the announcement, Leeds United’s in-house media team captured behind-the-scenes footage of Bijol’s first day at the club. The video, shared by LUTV, showed the towering defender arriving at Elland Road, completing his media duties, and soaking in the atmosphere at his new home ground.

During a lighthearted off-camera moment, Bijol revealed to commentator Bryn Law that he speaks five languages, including Russian, German, and Croatian — a detail that further underscores his maturity and ability to adapt to new environments. He also shared his first impressions of Elland Road, noting how much he appreciated the stadium’s compact design and the proximity of fans to the pitch, suggesting he is eager to experience the intense atmosphere Leeds supporters are known for.

Eyes on the Premier League Opener

With the new Premier League season looming, all eyes are now on Bijol’s potential debut. Leeds will begin their top-flight campaign with a home fixture against Everton on August 18, and Bijol is expected to be part of the starting lineup — a baptism of fire in what promises to be a challenging yet exciting season.

Leeds United are far from finished in the transfer market. Reports suggest at least six more signings could arrive before the window closes, as the club looks to build a squad capable of not just surviving, but thriving in the Premier League. But for now, Bijol’s arrival has given fans something to celebrate — and reason to believe that brighter days could be on the horizon at Elland Road.