'I will give everything' - Tarik Muharemović's first words as Leeds United player after £34m move from Sassuolo
Tarik Muharemović's first words as a Leeds United player after his £34m move from Sassuolo
Tarik Muharemović has vowed to “give everything” for Leeds United after sealing a £34m move from Sassuolo.
The 23-year-old has penned a five-year deal at Elland Road, making the leap into the Premier League after impressing in Serie A.
A left-footed centre-back, he looks to have been earmarked as a replacement for Pascal Struijk, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month.
Tarik Muharemović makes Leeds United vow
Muharemović told LUTV yesterday (July 17): “I was born ready. I will give everything for this club. I will give everything, every game. I just want to win. I hate to lose and I will fight for every ball, even if it is my head or my feet, I am going.
“I know that it is a big and historical club. I know a lot. I followed since I heard about the interest that I could come here. I watched a lot, especially I watched a lot of videos about the fans, that every game is sold out, so it is just incredible.
“I directly knew what the ambitions are and the club told me what the ambitions are, so we want to get the club back where it belongs to. I just can’t wait to see the whole team. Today I saw a few players and, yeah, I just can’t wait to train with them, to see how they are and to meet my new family.”
Tarik Muharemović’s career development
Muharemović cut his teeth in Austria with Wolfsberger, doing enough to catch the eye of Italian heavyweights Juventus.
First-team opportunities were not forthcoming in Turin, but he found regular football at Sassuolo.
He said: “I played in Austria, I played in Italy and I dreamed of playing in the Premier League. It was my dream to play and I am here. It is the best football that you can play in the Premier League.
“You know how physical it is, how fast a game can go, and here you never know who is going to win the game. I am really happy to be now in England.”
World Cup campaign
Plenty of Leeds fans will have recently seen their new defender in action, as the 6ft 4in powerhouse represented Bosnia & Herzegovina at the World Cup.
It was a foul on Muharemović that led to the dismissal of USA forward Folarin Balogun in the round of 32, one which gained notoriety when his suspension was waived.
Reflecting on his World Cup expiere,ce Muharemović said: “I think this is every kid’s dream so I enjoyed it. I really had fun and I gave my best to represent my country, for my people. I am just really glad and honoured.
“Then, I had time off but I still had some training so I am ready. I just can’t wait to start. I know I will get even better here. I love pressure. I need pressure. I just couldn’t wait from the day they were talking. I was just like, ‘please get it done, I just want to go’.”