“I was born ready,” Tarik Muharemović exclusively told LUTV, softly spoken yet with an underlying sense of confidence and an intimidating nature opposition players will be wary of.
Towering in at 6ft 4’, our new signing has put pen to paper on a five-year deal in West Yorkshire, joining the club from Italian outfit Sassuolo and bolstering the Whites’ defensive ranks with the upcoming Premier League season just around the corner.
“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.”
That fighting spirit is sure to get fans on side straight away though the 23-year-old is under no illusions that talking the talk only gets a player so far. There is work to be done as he settles into life in West Yorkshire but the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is fully clued up on his new surroundings to hopefully hit the ground running.
“I know that it is a big and historical club,” he added, proudly looking around Elland Road. “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.”
Muharemović links up with Daniel Farke’s side after impressing on the international stage with his country at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, building on a fine year with Sassuolo on their return to Serie A where they finished in 11th-place in the final Italian standings.
Defending is an art in the country renowned for producing some of the best centre-backs to ever play the game. Leaving boyhood club Wolfsberger AC aged just 18, Tarik headed south across the Alps to European powerhouses Juventus, honing his craft playing for the Old Lady’s development side while taking every bit of information on board from those to have reached the top.
“At Juventus, I learned a lot because I had the chance to train and to learn from Chiellini, from Bonucci, and obviously from great coaches like Allegri and my youth coaches. A lot of tactics but a lot of training only for defenders, so I am happy I passed it!”
Switching Turin for Sassuolo, the centre-half excelled as the Neroverdi raced to the Serie B title, before carrying that momentum into last campaign in the top-flight where he showed his defensive prowess, making the third most clearances in the division and dominating in aerial battles against his opposite numbers.
Now, the Bosnia international who grew up in Austria and matured in Italy – he admits that cosmopolitan upbringing has helped his impressive grasp of the English language – is ready for a new challenge; a competition widely regarded as the best in the world.
“I played in Austria, I played in Italy and I dreamed of playing in the Premier League,” Tarik smiled. “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.”
The first ever player from Bosnia and Herzegovina to pull on the famous white jersey of Leeds United, the centre-half has 17 caps for his country, featuring three times in the current World Cup and helping the team to their best ever finish in the tournament.
Still only 23, those experiences fulfilled a lifelong ambition for him and his family – younger brother Kenan on the books of Rapid Wien hopes to one day follow suit – but attentions very quickly returned to club action once the interest from the Whites materialised.
Discussing his summer across the pond, Tarik added: “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!”
Tarik joins a side who finished 14th on their return to the Premier League last campaign under the guidance of Farke, closer to European qualification than the drop zone. Muharemović’s first interview with the club, assertive and straight talking, marries up to a play style supporters will have been accustomed to from the highlight compilations trending across social media.
Finishing up, asked when he wants to get started in his new home, the answer was simple: “As soon as possible.”
