Jaka Bijol in 2026: Net Worth and Salary, Wife, Injury, Suspension, Transfer, Height and FAQs

Jaka Bijol has quietly become one of the most important Slovenian footballers of his generation. He spent four years at CSKA Moscow, three more at Udinese in Italy, played a huge role in Slovenia's run to the round of 16 at Euro 2024, and now wears the colours of Leeds United in the Premier League. He is the kind of towering centre back that every modern club wants, six foot three of physical presence, calm in possession, dominant in the air, and tough in the tackle.

In 2026, at 27 years old, Bijol is one of the standout signings of the Leeds summer 2025 transfer window. He has been so good since the move to a three at the back formation in November 2025 that Liverpool have reportedly added him to their shortlist of Ibrahima Konate replacements. This article walks through where he stands today, his net worth, his salary, his personal life, his injury history, his suspensions, his transfer story, his height, and the questions people search for the most about him online.

Who is Jaka Bijol?

Jaka Bijol was born on 5 February 1999 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He came through the youth ranks at the Slovenian club NK Bravo and spent a season at Rudar Velenje before being scouted by Russian giants CSKA Moscow at the age of 18. That was the move that put him on the European football map and turned him from a Slovenian prospect into a serious centre back option for clubs across the continent.

At CSKA Moscow he became the youngest NK Bravo academy graduate to play in the UEFA Champions League when he started in a 2-2 group stage draw against Viktoria Plzen in 2018. From there his career has moved through Russia, Germany on loan, Italy, and now to the Premier League with Leeds United. He has played in the Champions League, the Europa League, Serie A, the 2. Bundesliga, and now the Premier League, all before turning 28.

On the international stage, he made his senior debut for Slovenia at a young age and has now earned more than 63 senior caps. His most famous moments in a Slovenia shirt came at Euro 2024 in Germany, where he and his teammates held both England and Portugal to 0-0 draws in some of the most disciplined defensive performances of the entire tournament. He is now widely seen as one of the leaders of the Slovenian national team.

Jaka Bijol Career Overview

Bijol's senior career began at Slovenian side NK Bravo, after which he spent the 2017 to 2018 season at Rudar Velenje. In 2018, CSKA Moscow signed him for what was a major step up in his career. He spent four years in Russia, made 61 appearances in his first two seasons across all competitions, and featured in both the Champions League and Europa League. In 2018 to 2019 he was part of the CSKA squad that won the Russian Super Cup, the first major senior trophy of his career.

During the 2020 to 2021 season, Bijol had a loan spell at Hannover 96 in the German 2. Bundesliga, where he gained valuable experience in another major European league. In the summer of 2022, he moved to Italian Serie A side Udinese for a reported fee of around 4 million euros. Over three seasons in Italy he made 95 appearances, scored five goals, and added four assists. He became one of the most reliable centre backs in Serie A, ranking in the 93rd percentile for aerial duels won per 90 minutes in 2024 to 2025.

On 23 June 2025, Leeds United signed him from Udinese on a five year contract for a reported initial fee of 15 million pounds, with add ons that could push the total to around 22 million euros. He became Leeds' second summer signing after Lukas Nmecha. He missed his expected Leeds debut due to a carryover suspension from his final Udinese match, but once he stepped onto the Premier League stage he settled in quickly.

The 2025 to 2026 Premier League season has been a real success story for him. After Daniel Farke switched to a 3-5-2 formation in late November 2025, Bijol has been almost an automatic starter. He has registered one goal and two assists, averaged a FotMob rating of 7.06, and has been one of the standout defensive performers at the club. His form has also caught the attention of Premier League rivals, with Liverpool reportedly considering him as a potential replacement for Ibrahima Konate in the upcoming transfer window.

Jaka Bijol Net Worth in 2026

Icon Polls estimates that Jaka Bijol's net worth in 2026 sits between 6 million and 8 million US dollars. That figure has been built across more than seven years of senior professional football, including his Slovenian club years, his four year CSKA Moscow contract, his Hannover 96 loan, his three years at Udinese in Serie A, his current Leeds United contract, and his Slovenia international match fees and Euro 2024 bonuses.

The biggest jump in his earnings came with his Leeds United contract in the summer of 2025. Premier League wages even for first season clubs are significantly higher than those of mid table Serie A sides, and Bijol's new deal has lifted him into a different financial bracket compared to his Udinese era. His weekly wages at Leeds have not been publicly confirmed in full, but his five year deal until 2030 gives him long term financial security.

Off the pitch, Bijol lives a relatively quiet life and is not a major celebrity figure on social media. He has 67,000 Instagram followers, which is small for a Premier League starter, and he uses the platform mainly for match updates and a few personal moments. His focus has clearly been on his football and his Slovenian roots rather than on building a celebrity profile.

Jaka Bijol Salary and Contract in 2026

Jaka Bijol's exact weekly wage at Leeds United has not been disclosed in full, but as a Slovenia senior international starter signed for around 15 million pounds, his weekly wage is estimated to be in the region of 50,000 to 65,000 pounds per week, which works out to roughly 2.6 million to 3.4 million pounds per year before bonuses.

His current contract was signed on 23 June 2025 and runs until 30 June 2030. The five year deal makes Leeds' bargaining position very strong. He is one of their most important defenders, his market value has already risen above 22 million euros across major football valuation platforms since signing, and Liverpool reportedly need to make a very serious offer if they want to test Leeds' resolve in the summer of 2026.

Icon Polls notes that Bijol is shaping up to be one of the best value Premier League transfers of his summer's signings. A versatile, physically dominant senior international who has settled quickly into the league at 27 years old is exactly the kind of player whose initial fee starts to look small as he keeps producing in the Premier League.

Jaka Bijol's Wife

Jaka Bijol is one of the more private players in the Leeds United squad when it comes to his personal life. As of 2026, there is no publicly confirmed wife or named partner connected to him in any reliable mainstream source. He has not shared a relationship status, an engagement announcement, or any romantic partner publicly through his social media or interviews.

There is also no public information confirming that he has any children. Bijol is the kind of footballer who keeps his personal world entirely separate from his football career. He shares mostly training pictures, match moments, and the occasional family or holiday photo on Instagram, but nothing that points to a confirmed partner or family setup.

Icon Polls notes that this approach is in line with how he has carried himself throughout his career in Russia, Germany, Italy, and now England. He is one of those professional, low key athletes who let their football speak for them and protect their loved ones from the noise that comes with modern football.

Jaka Bijol Injury History

Jaka Bijol has been one of the more durable centre backs in modern European football. Across his time at CSKA Moscow, Hannover, and Udinese, he has avoided any career threatening injuries and has put together long stretches of consistent availability. He played 34 Serie A matches in his final Udinese season, which speaks to his physical reliability.

He has had small knocks here and there, mostly muscle strains and minor issues that have kept him out for short stretches. None of these have been serious enough to derail his career or his international involvement with Slovenia. The fact that he was able to play all four of Slovenia's matches at Euro 2024 in Germany is a strong example of how dependable his fitness profile has been.

During the 2025 to 2026 Premier League season at Leeds, his minutes have been managed carefully early on, partly because of the carryover suspension from his final Udinese match and partly to ease him into a new league. Since the formation change in November 2025 to a three at the back system, he has been a regular starter without picking up any major injury setback. Icon Polls notes that his combination of durability and physical strength is one of the most underrated parts of his profile.

Jaka Bijol Suspension

Jaka Bijol's most discussed suspension came right at the start of his Leeds United career, before he had even played a competitive match for the club. He had been sent off in his final Udinese match of the 2024 to 2025 Serie A season, in a 3-2 loss against Fiorentina, after picking up two yellow cards. As Serie A and the Premier League both fall under UEFA jurisdiction, the suspension carried over to his new club. He missed Leeds' opening Premier League home match against Everton on 18 August 2025 as a result.

The Fiorentina sending off was considered controversial at the time. Bijol clearly won the ball before catching Pablo Mari for the second of his yellow card offences. Because it was a second yellow rather than a straight red card, VAR could not intervene to overturn it. The suspension was for one match rather than three, as the offences were both yellow cards rather than a straight red.

Outside of that opening match suspension, Bijol's general disciplinary record across his career has been the kind you expect from a physical centre back. He picked up 11 yellow cards and one red card in 34 league games during his last Serie A season at Udinese, and he has continued to pick up yellow cards in the Premier League at a similar pace. Daniel Farke has spoken about working with him on managing his physical aggression while keeping his strongest defensive instincts intact.

Jaka Bijol Transfer History

Jaka Bijol's transfer history has been one of steady upward movement. He came through the NK Bravo youth setup in Slovenia, spent the 2017 to 2018 season at Rudar Velenje, then moved to CSKA Moscow as an 18 year old in 2018, which was the breakthrough transfer of his career.

During the 2020 to 2021 season, he had a loan spell at Hannover 96 in the German 2. Bundesliga, which gave him valuable experience in central European football. In summer 2022, Udinese paid CSKA Moscow a reported 4 million euros to sign him, and over three seasons in Italy his market value steadily climbed.

Leeds United announced his arrival on 23 June 2025 for a reported initial fee of 15 million pounds, with add ons that could push the total to around 22 million euros, on a five year contract until June 2030. As of early 2026, his transfer market value sits at around 22.5 to 23.4 million euros across the major football valuation platforms, with Leeds reportedly ready to demand a very large fee to even entertain any approach from Liverpool or other Premier League rivals.

Jaka Bijol's Height

Jaka Bijol stands at 1.90 metres tall, which is around 6 feet 3 inches. That makes him one of the taller defenders in the Leeds United squad and a serious aerial presence in both penalty boxes. His height is one of the foundations of his game and one of the most important parts of his profile as a modern Premier League centre back.

During his last Serie A season at Udinese, he ranked in the 93rd percentile for aerial duels won per 90 minutes, putting him among the most elite physical performers in the entire league. He was also in the 97th percentile for clearances at 5 per 90 minutes and the 89th percentile for interceptions. Those numbers translate to the kind of dominance at set pieces that any Premier League side needs, both defensively and as a weapon at attacking corners and free kicks.

Icon Polls notes that his combination of height, strength, right foot, calm distribution, and aerial timing makes him a complete physical package. Daniel Farke's switch to a three at the back system in November 2025 was partly built around making the most of Bijol's profile, with him often stepping into the central role of the back three.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jaka Bijol

1. How old is Jaka Bijol in 2026?

Jaka Bijol is 27 years old in 2026. He was born on 5 February 1999 and turned 27 in February 2026.

2. What is Jaka Bijol's net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates that Jaka Bijol's net worth in 2026 is between 6 million and 8 million US dollars, built from his CSKA Moscow, Hannover 96, Udinese, and Leeds United contracts, plus Slovenia international match fees and Euro 2024 bonuses.

3. How much does Jaka Bijol earn per week?

Jaka Bijol's exact weekly wage at Leeds United has not been publicly disclosed in full. Based on his role and Premier League centre back wage scales, his wage is estimated to be in the region of 50,000 to 65,000 pounds per week.

4. What club does Jaka Bijol play for?

Jaka Bijol plays for Leeds United in the Premier League. He joined the club on 23 June 2025 from Italian Serie A side Udinese.

5. What position does Jaka Bijol play?

Jaka Bijol plays as a centre back. He is known for his aerial dominance, his ability to defend in space, and his comfort in both back four and back three systems.

6. What nationality is Jaka Bijol?

Jaka Bijol is Slovenian. He was born in Ljubljana and represents the Slovenia national team. He has earned over 63 senior caps for his country.

7. Is Jaka Bijol married?

There is no publicly confirmed wife or named partner connected to Jaka Bijol as of 2026. He keeps his personal life very private.

8. Does Jaka Bijol have children?

There is no public information confirming that Jaka Bijol has any children. He has kept his family life out of the spotlight.

9. How tall is Jaka Bijol?

Jaka Bijol is 1.90 metres tall, which is around 6 feet 3 inches. He is one of the tallest defenders at Leeds United.

10. When does Jaka Bijol's contract expire?

Jaka Bijol's current contract with Leeds United expires on 30 June 2030. He signed his five year deal on 23 June 2025.

11. What was Jaka Bijol's transfer fee to Leeds?

Leeds United paid a reported initial fee of 15 million pounds to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese on 23 June 2025, with add ons that could push the total to around 22 million euros.

12. What is Jaka Bijol's transfer value in 2026?

Jaka Bijol's transfer market value in 2026 sits in the range of 22.5 million to 23.4 million euros across the major football valuation platforms.

13. Where was Jaka Bijol born?

Jaka Bijol was born on 5 February 1999 in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

14. Why did Jaka Bijol miss the Everton match for Leeds?

Jaka Bijol missed Leeds' opening 2025 to 2026 Premier League home match against Everton on 18 August 2025 because of a one match suspension that carried over from his final Udinese match. He had been sent off for two yellow cards in Udinese's 3-2 loss against Fiorentina in May 2025.

15. Has Jaka Bijol played at Euro 2024?

Yes. Jaka Bijol played all four of Slovenia's matches at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, helping his country hold both England and Portugal to 0-0 draws before being eliminated by Portugal on penalties in the round of 16.

16. What clubs has Jaka Bijol played for?

Jaka Bijol has played for NK Bravo, Rudar Velenje, CSKA Moscow, Hannover 96 on loan, Udinese, and now Leeds United.

17. Has Jaka Bijol been injured?

Jaka Bijol has avoided any career threatening injuries throughout his career. He has had only small knocks and short muscular issues, with no significant long term absences. His fitness was strong enough to allow him to play all four Slovenia matches at Euro 2024.

18. Is Liverpool interested in signing Jaka Bijol?

Yes. Reports during early 2026 said Liverpool had identified Jaka Bijol as a potential replacement for Ibrahima Konate. Leeds United, however, are reportedly looking for a significant fee to consider any sale and have no plans to lose him cheaply.

19. What is Jaka Bijol's shirt number at Leeds?

Jaka Bijol wears the number 15 shirt for Leeds United.

20. What trophies has Jaka Bijol won?

Jaka Bijol won the Russian Super Cup with CSKA Moscow in the 2018 to 2019 season. He has not won any senior trophies since, although his Euro 2024 round of 16 run with Slovenia is one of the country's best ever tournament finishes.

21. Did Jaka Bijol play in the Champions League?

Yes. Jaka Bijol played in the UEFA Champions League with CSKA Moscow, where he became the youngest NK Bravo academy graduate to play in the competition. He made his Champions League debut in a 2-2 draw between CSKA and Viktoria Plzen in 2018.

22. What makes Jaka Bijol stand out as a player?

Jaka Bijol stands out for his height, his aerial dominance, his calmness on the ball, his physical strength in duels, and his ability to play in both four and three man defensive systems. His role at Euro 2024 against England and Portugal, plus his quick adaptation to the Premier League at Leeds, mark him out as one of the best Slovenian defenders of his generation.

Jaka Bijol's story is one of steady, professional growth across some of European football's biggest leagues. From a young Slovenian boy at NK Bravo, to a teenage Champions League starter at CSKA Moscow, to a Serie A regular at Udinese, to a senior Slovenia international who shut out England and Portugal at Euro 2024, to a key Leeds United defender chased by Liverpool, his career has unfolded one strong chapter at a time. In 2026, he is in the form of his life and is under contract until 2030.

Icon Polls believes that the next year of Jaka Bijol's career could decide where he sits among the very best Slovenian footballers of all time. With the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on the horizon, with Premier League rivals watching, and with five more years of Leeds United football still available to him, the best chapters of his story might still be ahead.