Why Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic thinks Leeds United have struck gold with Tarik Muharemovic
SERGEJ JAKIROVIC thinks Leeds United have chosen well in adding compatriot Tarik Muharemovic to their squad for next season.
The 23-year-old signed a five-year contract with the Elland Road club after an eventful World Cup with Bosnia Herzegovina.
Leeds are understood to have paid £34.1m for Muharemovic, the second-highest fee in their history. As a former Bosnia player and now a Premier League manager with Hull City, Jakirovic thinks it will be a good signing for his Yorkshire neighbours.
“He's a very good player,” commented Jakirovic, preparing for his first season of top-flight football in East Yorkshire.
“He had a very good season in Sassuolo (the Serie A club Leeds signed him from). There was a lot of interest about him from a lot of big names.
“He's a left-footed centre-back, a national team player, and Bosnia has played a good World Cup. It will be a good profile for Leeds.”
Muharemovic was part of the Bosnia team which reached the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in their history.
The 6ft 4in central defender missed their final group game, suspended after a red card in the 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, but returned to face the United States of America.
As well as his footballing pedigree which saw him signed by Juventus' academy as a youngster, Jakirovic – who spent last season adapting to his first year living in England – noted another important advantage for Slovenia-born Muharemovic.
“He grew up in Austria so he speaks German and they (Leeds) have coaches from Germany,” noted Jakirovic, “so I think he will adapt very well.”