Udinese star defender Jaka Bijol on his future: ‘I want to test myself in the Premier League’

Considered the natural successor to Boštjan Cesar in the Slovenian national team, Jaka Bijol is in the middle of what is likely his final season at Udinese as he prepares for the next step in his career. If given the choice, his destination would be the Premier League.

Recently, Bijol was named MVP of a Serie A match between Udinese and Lecce, adding another individual accolade to his growing list. The Slovenian defender has established himself as a key player for Udinese in his third season in Italy and is one of the club’s most sought-after assets on the transfer market. A summer departure seems increasingly likely, with significant interest in him over the past year. Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have shown the strongest pursuit lately, while Inter, Roma, and other top Serie A clubs have scouted him in the past.

We caught up with Bijol in the heart of Udine, where he leads a relatively quiet life with his girlfriend Neža, a medical student. Despite being recognized by passersby, some even asking for photos, Bijol remains approachable.

"It’s peaceful here, as you can see. It’s not like the bigger Italian cities; there’s no chaos," he said, acknowledging that as a Serie A player, he enjoys a level of freedom that wouldn’t be possible in cities like Rome, Naples, or Milan.

Settled in Udinese but preparing for the next step

Jaka, you seem well-settled at Udinese, and the club is currently 10th in Serie A. How satisfied are you with the season?

"I’m in my third season here, and I can’t complain. It’s a great place, and it’s close to home. I’m here for football, and I’m happy that we’re doing better than last season when we struggled to stay up. Early in the season, we had defensive issues—I played alongside different teammates almost every game. Some players don’t speak English or Italian, which makes things challenging. But in recent months, we’ve found our rhythm and stability. We’ve already secured survival, and now we’re aiming higher."

Adapting from Russia to Italy

You arrived in Serie A from Russia. How did you adjust so quickly to Italian football, and what were the biggest challenges?

"It all happened very fast. I had just signed a fresh contract at CSKA Moscow, and I wasn’t even thinking about a transfer. But when the war started, clubs began looking for solutions. Udinese reached out, and we quickly found an agreement. I don’t know exactly how it unfolded, but my career has always moved quickly—sometimes too quickly. I think my transition from midfielder to center-back at CSKA was crucial. It shaped my career and allowed me to reach this level."

The transformation from midfielder to defender

That position change at CSKA Moscow altered your career trajectory. How do you reflect on that?

"Definitely. If that hadn’t happened, who knows where I’d be now? As a midfielder, I don’t think I’d have reached this level. My attributes clearly suited defense better, even though I had never played as a defender before moving to Russia. The most important thing for me has always been to play regularly, and that shift has paid off."

A summer transfer on the horizon?

There was strong interest in you last summer and again this January. Are you close to a move, and have you thought about your next step?

"I have thought about it. I want to take the next step, but last year we agreed with the club to wait another season unless an exceptional offer came in. After the Euro 2024, it was difficult to clear my mind—it was the highlight of my career so far. I needed some time to refocus. But now I feel ready."

Is your priority to stay in Italy?

"Not necessarily. My dream has always been to experience English football—just to try it and see what it’s like. Everyone I’ve spoken to who has played there says it’s something different. Even those who struggled there would go back in a heartbeat. It’s the best league in the world."

A high price tag could be an obstacle

Udinese values you highly, making a transfer more complex. Do you follow your market value and transfer rumors?

"Occasionally. Every player should have a rough idea of their worth. But for a transfer to happen, many things need to align. Udinese has its transfer strategy—they’ve made big deals in the past, and they have plans for me. I also have my own ambitions."

The state of Italian football

Italian football seems to be lagging behind the Premier League. This season, Italian clubs have struggled in Europe, and the national team is also facing difficulties. What’s your take?

"Football is deeply rooted in Italy’s culture. Some stadiums are massive and iconic—it’s always special to play at places like Roma’s Stadio Olimpico. Italy has many top players, and there’s always a buzz around the sport. There are countless media outlets covering everything about clubs. People read it all, even if some of it isn’t true. That’s part of the charm of Italian football."