Cardiff City's revamped squad is almost unrecognisable from last season. After a flurry of early-summer signings, Steve Morison's roster of players looks far more mobile, dynamic and is packed with competition for places.
Quite how that all comes together on the pitch remains to be seen, but it is exciting nonetheless. The battles for the shirt all over the park make it a fiercely competitive squad, one suspects.
With so many new faces, though, we thought it would be a good idea to run you through the men who have walked through the door at Cardiff City Stadium this summer...
Ebou Adams
City's first summer signing and one Morison had been trailing since February. Cardiff wanted to add some legs in midfield and Adams certainly brings that, having last year been named in the League Two Team of the Season for his performances with Forest Green Rovers. Expect him to bust a lung up and down the pitch, a genuine box-to-box midfielder and a solid addition. Hopefully his pre-season shoulder injury doesn't knock him to the bottom of the pecking order.
Jak Alnwick
The first of City's two goalkeeper recruits. Brought in from St Mirren with solid recommendations. Likes to play out from the back and is more than useful with his feet, a requirement Cardiff wanted from their men with the gloves. Whether he muscles his way into the No.1 spot remains to be seen, though, with others perhaps better placed.
Ollie Tanner
The potential ace in the pack and a player many Cardiff fans have grown to be excited about following his pre-season showings. Turned down a move to Tottenham back in January, while Lewes FC, his former club, received offers from Championship clubs and other Premier League teams this summer, but the 20-year-old winger chose the Welsh capital. Looks a strong, pacey runner with an eye for a shot. An exciting prospect, but perhaps it might be wise to heed some patience, given he is stepping up seven tiers from the Isthmian League.
Jamilu Collins
Cardiff's only signing from foreign shores, Nigeria international Jamilu Collins signed from SC Paderborn in the German second tier. Insiders at the club are really excited about him and he seems to have edged ahead of Joel Bagan in the pre-season race for the left-back berth. Rapid acceleration over five or 10 yards but has shown one or two moments of defensive concentration lapses. Like Tanner, a relative unknown but someone City fans are eager to see in action this season. It'll all be about how he adapts to the rigours and demands of Championship football, although he does have a season in the Bundesliga under his belt.
Callum O'Dowda
It was clear Morison wanted to add wing options with the addition of Tanner and Callum O'Dowda quickly through the door after him. A player who showed sparks of real quality during his time at Bristol City, with as many as seven Championship clubs understood to have been interested in his signature. But Cardiff won the race and hope to get the best out of him this coming season. In his own words, he is in the prime of his career right now.
Vontae Campbell
A little bit of a rogue one which came out of left field. The 21-year-old right-back joined from Leicester City to fill a problem area of the squad in which Cardiff needed reinforcements. Never played a senior game for the Foxes and had a mixed loan spell with Dundee last season. Will probably only be a back-up option.
Mahlon Romeo
The second of the right-backs brought in and a player Morison knows well from their time together at Millwall. Romeo will likely suit a back four, should the manager wish to play that formation, and comes with Championship pedigree as a solid defender. A shrewd addition and one which strengthens that right flank.
Ryan Allsop
A real coup for Cardiff, this one. The Bluebirds nabbed Derby County goalkeeper Ryan Allsop on a free transfer amid serious competition for his signature. Rams fans were gutted to see him leave and pre-season performances point to just why that is. His distribution is crisp and refreshing to see. Likely to be handed the gloves for the season opener against Norwich City.
Andy Rinomhota
A central midfielder with serious potential to be a top operator at this level. Despite the number of options City have in the middle of the park, Rinomhota looks a shoo-in for that Canaries game. Exactly what Cardiff need, a player who covers every blade of grass but has technical ability on the ball. Won Reading's Player of the Season in 2019 and is still only 25. He struggled with injury last season, but if City can keep him fit he will play a big part in their season.
Romaine Sawyers
Cardiff have been crying out for a creative player in the middle of the park and, on the face of it, Sawyers fits that bill. A player with poise and class on the ball, generally playing at the tip of a midfield three, he could add the creativity and guile needed to release City's new wingers and, eventually, new strikers. Lost his form a tad at West Brom, but if the 30-year-old gets back somewhere near to what he showed earlier in his career then the Bluebirds have a real player on their hands.
Sheyi Ojo
Back for round two! The ex-Liverpool winger had a largely positive spell on loan in the Welsh capital a couple of seasons ago, but has had an up-and-down career to date. At 25, he has made the decision to join a club permanently after a succession of loan spells away and many hope he will rekindle the form he had during lockdown with the Bluebirds. Pacey and with the ability to score goals, will add some competition in the forward areas. Looked bright in his pre-season outings so far.
Cedric Kipre
Cardiff have been after a centre-back all window and they had to wait for their 12th signing to bring one in. It is their first, and to date only, loan signing, with the West Brom defender needing game time after being a fringe player at The Hawthorns last season. He is a ball-playing centre-half and will fit into City's new style nicely. Be interesting to see where he sits in the pecking order, but there is an overriding sense he will be a preferred starter.
Jaden Philogene
The 13th signing of the summer and one which, given they already had so many wing options, no one anticipated. The 20-year-old winger had a solid loan spell at Stoke City last season and will be looking for game time to force his way into contention at Aston Villa. Joining so soon before the season begins, he will likely start behind the likes of Callum O'Dowda and Sheyi Ojo in the order of preference, so will have to take his chance when it comes.
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