Leeds Secure First Summer Signings: Everything You Need to Know

Leeds United recently announced their first dealings of the summer, with Germany and Wolfsburg forward Lukas Nmecha joining The Whites on a free and signing a two-year contract. They have since agreed a deal to sign Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol for a fee in the region of £19m, with the defender having recently also completed his medical to finalise his move to Elland Road. The Slovenian international is expected to be announced as a Leeds player in the coming days.

Leeds have signed attacker Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer after his contract with Wolfsburg expired. He has previously spent time in England with Manchester City, Preston and Middlesbrough 📝🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/7acSgy7RQy

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 15, 2025

This excellent business from Leeds has gone completely under the radar, with the highly anticipated Club World Cup having taken centre stage in the past few days. For those of you who missed the latest news, Football Park will be delivering you all the information you need to know about Daniel Farke’s additions, and explaining why they have been so appealing to a club who have recently achieved promotion to the Premier League and are looking to stay up.

Meet Leeds United’s Latest Summer Signings

Lukas Nmecha

Lukas Nmecha is the first signing made by Farke, with the German forward joining on a free following the expiry of his contract at VFL Wolfsburg. The 26-year-old featured 19 times for Wolfsburg last season, starting just three. He scored three goals despite playing only 474 minutes due to constant injuries scuppering his chance at regular playing time.

In recent seasons, Nmecha has struggled through injuries, playing just 24 games over the past two seasons. However, despite playing only 24 games and lasting just 572 minutes on the pitch, he has scored 5 goals, giving him an impressive game to goal ratio of 114.4 minutes per goal. After coming through the Manchester City academy setup, he spent one season with the Citizens before getting shipped on loan to Preston, Wolfsburg, Middlesbrough, and Anderlecht. He completed a permanent transfer to Wolfsburg in 2021, where, after a successful first campaign, he has been plagued by injuries and will hope a move to Elland Road will put a stop to the fitness issues.

Jaka Bijol

Also aged 26 years old, Jaka Bijol joins The Whites from Udinese after a successful season in Northern Italy. The Slovenian international was a defensive stalwart for the Udine side, playing 34 Serie A games, finding the net once, but more importantly collecting eight clean sheets.

Wherever Bijol has been, he has always been a key part of the defence. Whether that be in the Russian Premier League with CSKA Moscow, in Italy with Udinese, or with Slovenia at Euro 2024. Throughout his three years with Udinese, he registered five goals and two assists, proving to be a menace in the penalty area.

🚨⚪️🗞️ Jaka Bijol completed his medical yesterday.

The total fee is £19 million for the Slovenian. 🇸🇮

Newcastle did try hijack the deal but they were unsuccessful.#LUFC | @SebEcrivainFoot pic.twitter.com/6BHrQtpyYs

— Leeds Centre (@leeds_centre) June 19, 2025

Why Leeds Wanted Them

It was in April, when Leeds started making contacts with potential signings to make to stand a strong chance at survival for the upcoming season. Nmecha was high up on the list; the German was in the top 6% of positional peers for shots taken per 90, and in the top 15% for non-penalty goals. And, for recently promoted sides, taking shots on goal is very important- as Leicester City learned.

Nmecha also stands well in transition, whether it is playing a part of the build, ranking in the top 25% for passes attempted, or taking players on and getting the ball up the pitch- ranking in the top 26% for progressive carries and top 33% for successful take ons. He also offers value defensively, ranking in the top 8% for interceptions per 90, and top 22% for aerial duels won.

(Stats via FBRef)

As for the Slovenian, Bijol, standing at almost 6 foot 3 inches tall, wins 3.31 aerial duels per 90, ranking in the top 7%. He likes to latch onto the ball from set-pieces too, ranking in the top 7% for touches in the opposition penalty area. These translate into his shots taken, as he ranks in the top 37% for shots on goal, averaging over 1 shot every other game.

After having a very impressive Euros last summer, it is no wonder Leeds had to see off competition from the likes of Newcastle for the Slovenian’s signature. Known for his no-nonsense defending, it is no wonder he also ranks in the top 29% for clearances per 90 too.

(Stats via FBRef)

How Will They Fit into Leeds’ Side

Nmecha can offer very good quality in Farke’s attacking options. With Joel Piroe certainly expected to hold onto the number one spot up front after an incredible season in front of goal, this opportunity benefits both parties, as Nmecha will get an opportunity to rebuild his career and hopefully improve on his fitness as a back up to Piroe. With Leeds fans wanting the ever-injured Patrick Bamford gone, the young Mateo Joseph may also still be too young and inexperienced to play an important role in helping The Whites survive, so he could go out on loan.

Leeds fans will be very hopeful this transfer will work out. In terms of cost, they have already won on this deal, and they will be wishful in thinking Nmecha can be similar to that of Manor Solomon. The Israeli came on loan from Spurs last summer, struggling for minutes and injury prone, and had a really strong performance over the campaign. Ideally Leeds would also want him to return to Elland Road, but if Nmecha can show signs of why he came up rough the ranks in Manchester in the first place, Solomon may soon be forgotten anyway.

Former Man City striker Lukas Nmecha with a moment of magic for Wolfsburg 🪄

Composure and a top finish 🥶#UCL pic.twitter.com/W3b9b8DDbu

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 2, 2021

Leeds came into this summer window wanting more physicality in their arsenal, and they have got exactly that in Jaka Bijol. Leeds conceded 30 goals last season, which doesn’t look bad on paper. However, there were many times where mistakes led to goals, and in the Premier League, a promoted team needs to put a stop to this as much as possible, otherwise it is a matter of when not if they will go back down to the Championship.

In Bijol, they will have someone who they can rely on to win aerial duels at both ends of the pitch, which means there is less chance of them conceding at one end, and it massively increases their chances of creating a strong opportunity at the other. It is a very important signing that Leeds will need to ensure is finalised as soon as possible and, if they do, Bijol will play a pivotal role in Leeds’ chances of staying in the English top-flight for another season.