Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, July 6.
Leicester kid signs
Young Leicester City defender Freddie Cook has signed for the Bluebirds.
Cook, who played 36 games and scored two goals while also registering one assist for the Foxes in the Under-18 Premier League last season, becomes the first player to sign for the academy following the two senior signings of Ike Ugbo and Dimitrios Goutas.
The Bluebirds have announced the signing of centre-back Cook along with a number of scholars who have signed their first professional deals with the club.
"I feel great about it," he said of the deal. "It's my first time signing a pro contract, and I feel like it's the best club for me to come to. I'm absolutely buzzing to be here.
"The blueprints and the way everyone works with each other really appealed to me and all of the staff were really welcoming. I hope to bring a bit of character to the team, hard work and make sure everyone is on it on the pitch."
Jake Dennis, Isaac Jefferies, Kyle Kenniford, Dylan Lawlor and Morgan Wigley have all put pen to paper on professional deals.
King: I want to compete and influence Bulut's decision
Midfielder Eli King has his sights set on impressing manager Erol Bulut in pre-season in the hope of forcing his way into the first team this term.
King has played at centre-back for the two pre-season games so far, although he is uncertain as to whether that means it is a new position for him or whether it is a case of making the numbers up at this stage.
Either way, though, it is an important juncture for him in his career. After a loan spell with Crewe last season, King will feel ready to taste more first-team action and hope he can do that with the Bluebirds.
When asked about his goals this season, he said: "To come in and compete, which was the plan anyway. Try and make a mark in training and see how pre-season goes, try and influence [Erol's] decision and try to get in the team, ultimately.
"If that's not the case, maybe look for a loan or look into how I'm going to develop most this year.
"I'll probably get a better idea of that over the next few weeks."
King recently played in Wales Under-21s' draw with Denmark alongside contemporary Rubin Colwill, who netted two goals in the 2-2 draw. King believes the playmaker is reaching peak condition a month out from the season.
"He played really well against Denmark," King said of Colwill. "You can tell he's had a good off-season. He had some ups and downs last season, but he's got a really good mentality, Rubes.
"I've been close with him and you can tell when someone is professional and he is a professional. I'm sure he'll be in good shape come the season."
And what of young Joel, Rubin's 18-year-old brother? Well, King also speaks very highly of him.
"I played with Joel a little bit last year with the under-21s. He is a real quality player," he added. "He is young and vibrant, hopefully he gets his chance this year because he is a quality player.
"[He and Rubin] are bickering quite a lot to be fair - but it's only playful banter!"
Goutas and Ugbo pictured in training
New signings Dimitrios Goutas and Ike Ugbo have been pictured training with their new Cardiff City team-mates for the first time today.
Ugbo was announced as the first player through the door, on a season-long loan from Troyes, on Tuesday, before Goutas was unveiled on Wednesday morning.
And they have wasted no time in getting down to work, in hope of getting up to speed ahead of the new campaign.
In a gallery of photographs released by the club this afternoon, Callum O'Dowda, who has missed the first two friendlies following his efforts with the Republic of Ireland last month, and Jamilu Collins, who could play his first pre-season game next week, are also pictured.
Hudson gets new gig
Former Cardiff City manager Mark Hudson has been handed a new gig on Sheffield United's coaching staff.
Hudson was brought in as assistant to Steve Morison at Cardiff before taking the reins full time after the ex-Wales striker was sacked last September.
Hudson lasted only until January, though, before he was moved on and Sabri Lamouchi took over. Lamouchi was replaced by Bulut this summer.
And now Hudson, an ex-Cardiff captain, of course, and regarded incredibly highly in this corner of the world due to his exploits as a player, is back in the game - and in the Premier League, too.
Last night the Blades announced Hudson has joined Paul Heckingbottom's coaching setup as the club's defensive coach as they prepare for their top-flight campaign following promotion from the Championship.
"I'm delighted to be here and join as we move into the Premier League," he said. "I've spoken to Hecky a few times, when Hecky and Jack (Lester) were in the academy I came across and watched them for a few days and I've kept in contact since then really.
"I got a phone call a couple of weeks ago, had a good chat over the phone with Hecky then came in and discussed the role and his expectations, including what I can add to the group because all the staff have specific roles and areas of the team to focus on."
Aston Villa friendly cancelled
Cardiff City Under-21s' pre-season friendly with Aston Villa has been cancelled.
It comes after the Bluebirds' first-round Nathaniel MG Cup match against Cambrian & Clydach has been announced for Friday, July 21, the same day they were supposed to play Villa.
Darren Purse's side will play the match at Clydach Vale, kicking off at 7.30pm
