Callum O'Dowda has signed a three-year deal to join Severnside rivals Cardiff City on the expiration of his Bristol City contract.
The Robins announced the midfielder would end his six-year spell with the club at the end of June when they revealed their retained list last month. The 27-year-old had a one-year option in his contract which City opted against exercising although debated offering him a new deal on reduced wages.
Bristol Live previously revealed how Cardiff were among seven clubs chasing the Republic of Ireland international and had offered him a deal around a month ago. O'Dowda was keen to weigh up his options before making a decision on his future, confirmed by manager Steve Morison.
Speaking of his move, O'Dowda admitted he is ready to prove his ability as he hits his prime. Reported on Cardiff's official site, he said: "I’m delighted. It’s been a long process, from meeting the gaffer and going around the training ground, to actually putting pen to paper.
“The intent and the passion the manager showed, and also the business that the club has been doing in the transfer window, was something that I want to be part of.
“I’m at a stage in my career where I’m hungry, I want to achieve as much as I can, and I feel as though I could be hitting my prime now. So, it’s all about kicking on with the right team, the right manager and a fantastic club.”
Manager Morison added: "It’s been a long pursuit. We made contact a while back, he had a lot of options and he chose us at the end of it, so it’s credit to all the hard work that everybody has put in.
“He fits the bill in all departments. He brings that quality in the final third, and he’s a really good athlete. He can score goals, he can make goals, and we’ve just got to get the best out of him.
“I showed him the plan, explained how he would fit into that plan, and showed him what we want to do. We want players who want to be here and be part of it, and I’m really pleased to have him on board.”
News of the deal came just hours after O'Dowda posted a farewell message to supporters on Instagram. He wrote: "My time at Bristol City has come to an end and I am so thankful I was able to represent this club.
"I want to thank all the players, staff and above all the fans for their continued support over the last six years. I will always have such respect and admiration for this football club. All the best, Callum."
O'Dowda has joined former City players Marlon Pack, Bobby Reid and Lee Tomlin who have made the short jump from Bristol across the border to play for Cardiff. The winger was settled in the area and therefore it deal makes sense from a geographical perspective.
He fell out of favour under manager Nigel Pearson in the second half of last season, having made 16 league starts throughout the course of the campaign. His last appearance came in a 19-minute cameo against Reading when he was forced off injured during City's 2-1 victory.
His last start was in the 3-1 defeat away at Blackpool in which he was taken off at half-time on February 5th, in which Pearson criticised certain individuals in the side for making the same errors. From then on, it felt as though the writing was on the wall for O'Dowda.
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