‘I’m At Leeds United To Prove’ – Whites Star Admits Clear Focus | OneFootball

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Leeds United defender Tarik Muharemovic has insisted he is at Elland Road to prove who he is, while thanking former side Sassuolo, as well as Giorgio Chiellini, Nemanja Matic and Leo Bonucci, for the guidance they offered him.

The former Juventus prospect joined Leeds in July, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal for a price of €34m, a fee one Whites legend believes he has already begun to justify.

Muharemovic arrived from Sassuolo after spending two seasons with the Italian side, initially joining on loan following his lack of a breakthrough in Turin before completing a permanent move in 2025.

The 23-year-old central defender has made a striking start to life in England, playing every minute of Leeds’ Premier League campaign so far and registering an assist as the Peacocks sit fifth in the table.

Muharemovic admitted that the direction of his early career was not in his hands, explaining that those at Juventus had different ideas and knew the reasons behind their decisions.

He said he is now delighted to be in the Premier League with Leeds United, with his attention firmly fixed on his new club and a determination to leave those early years behind, while also expressing his gratitude to Sassuolo for everything they have done for him.

The 23-year-old added that he is at Elland Road to prove who he is, while also thanking Chiellini, Matic and Bonucci for the guidance they provided during his development.

Muharemovic told Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio: “This wasn’t in my hands; they had better ideas and knew why.

“Now I’m really happy to be here, at Leeds, and in the Premier League, and not somewhere else.

“My focus is here and I just want to forget those early years… I thank Sassuolo and I’m truly grateful for what they’ve done for me.

“I’m at Leeds United to prove who I am.

“And thanks also to Giorgio [Chiellini], Nemanja [Matic], and Leo [Bonucci].”

Muharemovic is currently away on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with four Nations League fixtures on the horizon.

Drawn alongside Poland, Romania and Sweden, the Leeds defender could even find himself facing team-mate Gabriel Gudmundsson, with the Swedish full-back also called up for the internationals by Sweden boss Graham Potter.