MusaLeeds United have been home to a number of star defenders in recent years, many of whom have won the hearts of the fans for their performances on the pitch.
Right-back Luke Ayling joined the Whites for just £500,000 from Bristol City in the summer of 2016 and has made over 250 appearances for the club in eight years.
The 33-year-old was part of the previous team that was promoted back to the Premier League in 2020 under Marcelo Bielsa, before being a mainstay throughout their spell in the top flight.
The current squad also boasts a number of stars who have repeated the feat, with Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo cementing their place in the club’s history after their roles in the promotion push.
This summer, however, manager Daniel Farke has another chance to strengthen his squad and give more players the chance to connect with the Yorkshire fans.
The latest in Leeds’ summer transfer hunt
68%
Clearances made
5.5
Passing accuracy
84%
Progressive passes
3
Enters the final third
3.3
Stats via FBref
His aerial dominance has been further demonstrated by his 68% aerial wins – a figure that places him in the top 6% of all players in the Italian top flight.
The defender also offers composure in possession, completing 84% of his passes while playing 3.3 balls in the final third per 90 this campaign, and can then make an impact at both ends of the pitch.
£17m for a player of Bijol’s experience in today’s market could prove to be a bargain, with the 26-year-old having the potential to make a hero of himself if they can avoid relegation in 2025/26. He also has the chance to follow in Jansson’s footsteps at Elland Road, where the Swede has shown that signings from Italy have been successful in previous years.
Musa
