Jaka Bijol has vowed to “give everything" for the Leeds United shirt and has described the impact that images of May’s promotion parade had on him. Bijol arrives from Udinese for a fee of £15million, signing at Elland Road until 2030. He is the second signing of the summer following the pending arrival of striker Lukas Nmecha on July 1.
Asked what Leeds fans can expect from him by club media, Bijol replied: “I can promise that I will give everything. In training as well to be ready for the first game of the season then just go up from there.
“Excited? For sure, I can’t wait to play the first game of the season. I heard it is a big game in the first game of pre-season [vs Manchester United in Stockholm] so I can’t wait.”
Bijol is not naive to the test ahead, branding it the “biggest one of my career so far”. He underlined: “I'm ready for it.
“It’s going to take some games to maybe see the level and to see where we are as a team. But for sure [survival] is the main goal and to be a regular team in the Premier League.”
The arrival of Bijol so early in the summer means he will have time to bed into his new team and enjoys the luxury of a full preseason, with Leeds players reporting back to training complex Thorp Arch on July 7.
The 26-year-old Slovenian international is clear on what is the most vital first step to take. “Focusing on the chemistry first, that is the most important part,” he outlined.
“To feel a part of the group, that you have come to the right place and help the team and grow together. Then everything comes together. For me, it matters the most that the group accepts you first and you show you can help them as well. Then everything grows from there.”
Bijol described getting "goosebumps" upon seeing images of how passionate supporters were during the promotion parade in May, having seen a handful of Leeds matches towards the end of last season.
Leeds United players on the open top bus in City Square for the club's promotion party
Leeds United players on the open top bus in City Square for the club's promotion party
He said: “I saw photos of the parade and they were really nice images. You enjoyed it a lot last year and I hope we enjoy next year as well. It gives you some goosebumps when you see all the people are really passionate about the club and everything. I knew a little bit before, I knew it was a big club already and that just confirms it.”
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