Leeds United star unhappy with 'crazy' Everton ruling after £19m transfer

Leeds United star unhappy with 'crazy' Everton ruling after £19m transfer

Jaka Bijol will be suspended for the opening game of the Premier League season despite only joining Leeds this summer

Leeds summer signing Jaka Bijol

Leeds United will be without one of their new signings for the visit of Everton in week one of the Premier League season. He's not happy about it either.

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Jaka Bijol has arrived as one of the club's major summer signing for a deal worth around £19million from Udinese. However, the defender will be sidelined due to a suspension that will carry over from his time in Serie A.

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While bans are not always carried over in these situations, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post the suspension was "was declared on his international transfer certificate from the FIGC [Italian football federation]. Under FIFA rules, the FA therefore have to accept and enforce it in England."

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It means Bijol will have to wait to week two against Arsenal to make his first competitive appearance for his new club. Speaking to The Athletic, the Slovenia international outlined his frustration at the situation.

"Honestly, it's really disappointing for me," he said. "Because I really thought it wouldn’t (carry over) 0 and it also wasn’t even a red card, I would say.

“It’s kind of crazy. I asked if we can do something about it, but it looks like I just have to accept it.

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“There’s still a lot of games left in the season. I’m sad to miss the first one, but there’s going to be a lot of them left.”

The ban means Leeds will likely opt for a pairing of Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon for the opening game, fitness permitting. The duo formed a strong link during the previous campaign, in which Leeds were promoted from the Championship with ease.

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For Everton, there are two likely options to lead the line. Beto finished last season well after David Moyes' return and finished the Premier League season with eight goals.

The Blues have also spent £27m to land Thierno Barry from Villarreal after an impressive year in Spain.

The France youth international helped the Yellow Submarine secure Champions League football with 11 goals and four assists.

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