Leeds United star sends Premier League warning to Tarik Muharemovic as transfer close
Leeds United are set to lure another physical centre-back away from Serie A this summer.
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol admits it can take time for European arrivals to adapt to the Premier League.
Bijol made a £15million move across from Udinese last summer and his path from Italy to England will soon be followed. Leeds agreed a £34m deal for Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic earlier this month with the 23-year-old flying into the region to finalise his transfer on Thursday.
Muharemovic has the potential to be an upgrade on his predecessor, Pascal Struijk, but the Bosnian international is yet to prove himself against Premier League opposition. Bijol had to be patient for his chance after making a similar move last year but after a period of adaptation, went on to excel.
"Maybe a few first games also to adjust to the team a little bit,” He told LUTV of his time settling in. "It is not just the Premier League that is new, it is also the team that you have to adapt and just to find your place there in the team.
“And then it is the Premier League, it is the best league in the world so of course you need maybe a little bit just to acknowledge the other, the tempo and everything. But I think that I saw quite fast where things are and what do you have to do to play on that level, and how I can fit inside the team and everything.
“I just tried to help throughout the season and I am really happy that we finished like that, and that everyone had a good season last year."
With confirmation of his move expected to arrive imminently, Muharemovic will have plenty of time to get used to his new teammates before the Premier League challenge arrives. Daniel Farke’s side reported for pre-season testing this week and have six summer friendlies to look forward to against a range of opposition.
It all starts with a summer tour of the USA, with Leeds due out there next week before playing Championship side Wrexham on Saturday night. The Whites then face Sunderland and Liverpool before two home games against German opposition either side of a Dublin trip to face Manchester United.
"I am looking forward to that [US pre-season camp] for sure,” Bijol added. “Something different. It is going to be maybe something new for most of us. Yeah, fun to see there as well, and just to play good games there. And great stadiums for sure, great facilities, and something different. It is going to be exciting for sure.
"We play a game in Ireland as well. So last year we played there already, and it was a really nice experience as well. So yeah, just Leeds fans are all over the world, so it is nice to go there and see them."