Cardiff City have announced Ebou Adams as their first signing of the transfer window.
Adams, who signs on a three-year deal, represents the very first building block of what promises to be a huge squad reconstruction this summer. The central midfielder, 26, has been one of the standout players in League Two the last few seasons and was a key cog in Forest Green Rovers' wheel when they romped to the title this term.
His performances drew admiring looks from a number of Championship clubs including Blackpool who, it is understood, were incredibly active in trying to get him to Bloomfield Road. However, the 11-cap Gambia international has agreed to join the Bluebirds this summer.
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"I'm excited and I can't wait to get started," Adams said after signing. "I spoke to the manager and I was delighted with his plans, and I just wanted to be involved. We spoke about the style of football we would be playing, and it is a style I really like. Hopefully I can be part of the team that takes Cardiff City back to where they belong.
"I'm an all-round midfielder. The fans can expect 110% from me and for me to play with a smile on my face."
Adams is understood to have been impressed by the club, the city and the project at Cardiff.
The Bluebirds' interest in the player was first reported by WalesOnline last month and it is understood the club have worked tirelessly since that first contact to convince him that the Welsh capital was the place for him. Blackpool are said to have made an offer for him amid an eight-team battle for his signature.
Steve Morison has routinely spoken about the need to fill the middle-ages void in his squad, believing he doesn't have enough players between that 24-27 age bracket. Well Adams, who was ranked by WhoScored as the 10th-best player in all of League Two this season, is plumb in the middle of that age range and has almost 200 senior appearances to his name.
"Ebou's going to bring athleticism and energy," Morison said. He's really good on the ball. He's been a top, top player for Forest Green for a number of years.
"I said I was going to change the dynamic of the group. I wanted to change what you see from the players characteristic wise and he fits the bill.
"It is the right time for him to step up to the Championship. It's a big step for him, but he's buzzing, we're buzzing and we're looking forward to seeing him out there. We're really pleased to get it over the line."
Adams is the first confirmed signing of the summer with many, many more planned in the coming weeks and City fans will surely see this as a positive first move in their attempt to rebuild the squad.
As things stand, Will Vaulks, Joe Ralls, Marlon Pack and Leandro Bacuna will all leave the club due to their expiring contracts, although there is still hope from within the club that Ralls will stay. Tommy Doyle has returned to Manchester City while Sam Bowen is set to join Newport County.
Midfield, therefore, is an area which needs much attention in the transfer window, however Cardiff have made a dent in that by the signing of Adams.
The midfielder counts Norwich City, Braintree Town, Shrewsbury Town, Leyton Orient and Ebbsfleet United among his former clubs.
It promises to be a tricky summer for Forest Green, with one of their key players having left and Welsh manager Rob Edwards having been appointed the new Watford manager this week.
Adams joins the Bluebirds officially from July 1 following the conclusion of his current deal at the Gloucestershire club.
