These are your Cardiff City headlines on Monday, July 3.
Bulut picks out three for praise
It may have been just a pre-season friendly against Welsh league side Penybont, but new boss Erol Bulut was impressed by what he saw from three of his young tyros.
The manager said in the build-up to last weekend's friendly that he wanted to get to know more about the junior talent in his squad, dropping a big hint that we would see a fair few of them in action against Penybont at the weekend and The New Saints on Tuesday evening.
READ MORE: The exciting Cardiff City youngster who has impressed Erol Bulut the most
Asked for the pick of the bunch, he said after the 2-0 win that Kieron Evans, Joel Colwill and Xavier Benjamin gave him food for thought. "Who impressed me in the second half was Evans on the wing," he said. "But also the other players, they did well. Joel at the young age of 18, he played in the centre and is doing well, also Benjamin." Read more about the impression Evans made here.
Braga date confirmed
Cardiff have confirmed the date, time and venue of their glamorous pre-season clash against Braga. The Bluebirds will open their Portugal tour with a match against the outfit who finished third in the Portuguese top flight last season.
This game will take place on Wednesday, July 19, with a 7pm kick-off time at the Stadium Municipal De Lagos.
A short statement from the Bluebirds read: "S.C. Braga will provide a stern test for Erol Bulut’s side. They finished third in Portugal’s top flight – the Primeira Liga – in 2022/23. Supporters will be able to attend this game in person. Ticket details will follow in due course.
"As well as an extensive training programme, the Bluebirds will compete in a second friendly while in Portugal on the evening of Saturday, July 22, 2023. While details of this game are still being finalised, we can confirm this will also take place on the Algarve coast, and Bluebirds fans will be able to attend the match."
That second match will be against Porto. Bulut said after the 2-0 win over Penybont on Saturday: "They are difficult games against Fulham and also we have will have two in Portugal against Braga and Porto. It’s important for us because we will see also our level a little bit. Of course, the games are difficult games, but we will see where we are, so we have to work on it."
Fixtures in full
Cardiff City vs. The New Saints, Cardiff City Stadium, Tuesday, July 4, 7.30pm
Cardiff City vs. Cambridge United, BCD, Friday, July 7, 3pm
Cardiff City vs. Bristol Rovers, BCD, Tuesday, July 11, 3pm
S.C. Braga vs. Cardiff City, Stadium Municipal De Lagos, Wednesday, July 19, 7pm
Final Portugal friendly, TBC, Saturday, July 22, TBC
Wycombe Wanderers vs. Cardiff City, Adams Park, Saturday, July 29, 3pm
Big week for Rambo
Aaron Ramsey faces a big week with his future remaining up in the air. With teams returning to pre-season and heading out on tours, the 32-year-old won't want to leave his decision too late. He is now a free agent after his deal with Nice expired.
Reports in the Turkish media emerged at the weekend stating the Wales captain had been offered to Super Lig side Trabzonspor but will sign for the Bluebirds "next week".
"Next week" is now "this week" and Bulut himself said we could hear news on Ramsey's potential Cardiff homecoming in the next few days.
He said after the win over Penybont: “I will tell you more next week if we can get to sign some players, so then you will know."
Pushed on if he had met Ramsey or planned on meeting him next week, Bulut said: “I met him in the stadium when he was playing against Armenia. I saw him play, that’s it. Maybe. Maybe I’m going to meet him following this. We will see, we never know."
On Monday he teased fans again by posting a picture on Instagram of him sat at the Vale with his boots on.
Ramsey also put a picture of him at the Vale last week, the day his contract with Nice officially ran out. Watch this space....
Whyte signs for Pompey
Gavin Whyte has signed a three-year deal with Portsmouth after being released by Cardiff. The Northern Irishman had been tracked by a number of clubs but it was Pompey boss and former team-mate John Mousinho who has got a deal over the line for the 27-year-old.
Marlon Pack, who played with Whyte in the Welsh capital, was instrumental in the move, as well as Pompey's Terry Devlin.
"He [Devlin] was doing my head in," Whyte said. "I was picking his head asking him about the club and he just had good words to say about it. He’s been texting me the last few days asking if it’s been done so I texted him back last night to say it had been. He was buzzing.
"He’s a great player and a good guy. I’ve played with Marlon, I’ve spoken to him a few times as well and he only had positive words to say about the club.
"I know young Terry who has just signed as well. I’ve been on a few training camps with him before so I know them two. It always helps [having familiar faces around]. I’ve been to clubs where I don’t know anyone and I’ve been to clubs where I know a few people. I always think it does help when you know people. Even if I didn’t, this is a club where I can go in and feel good already."
