Ninth Leeds United call-up confirmed as Jaka Bijol joins Slovenia squad | OneFootball

Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol has been named in Slovenia’s squad for two June friendlies, taking the club’s international contingent to nine.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Slovenia will host Cyprus in Ljubljana on 4 June before visiting Croatia on 7 June, having missed 2026 World Cup qualification after a 2-0 loss to Kosovo and a 1-1 draw with Sweden in November.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a strong first season at Elland Road following his £15 million move from Udinese last summer. He waited until late October for a Premier League debut, then became a regular under Daniel Farke, missing only five top-flight games.

Bijol made 25 Premier League appearances, scored with a powerful header against Chelsea in November and contributed two assists. Thriving in the centre of a back three between Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, he recently said he could not have wished for a better campaign and appreciated teammates’ support when he was not playing.

Four Leeds players are set for this summer’s World Cup across the Atlantic, with Brenden Aaronson called by USA, Gabriel Gudmundsson by Sweden, Ao Tanaka by Japan and Noah Okafor by Switzerland.

Bijol is among five others in friendly action, with Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, Daniel James and Rodon selected by Wales for meetings with Ghana and Romania.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk