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Glen Williams

How the 21 stars who left Cardiff City in mass exodus are faring as duo still clubless and injury woes continue

Much of the spotlight has been on the army of incomings at Cardiff City this summer, but what of the mass exodus of players who left the Welsh capital?

No fewer than 21 senior players left the Bluebirds over the last few months, in one capacity or another, and have landed in a variety of leagues and playing at differing standards up and down the country. Some have not found homes yet at all.

Here, we look at the vast number of players who left Cardiff following the 2021/22 season and what they are up to now...

READ MORE: Don't Take Me Home - Get the latest Wales football team news sent straight to you

Josh Murphy

Released at the end of his contract and dropped down to League One with Oxford United after a nightmare year with Preston North End. Played just two games before getting injured and has missed the last six games in all competitions. Just the start he didn't need at his new club.

Isaac Vassell

It was no surprise when Cardiff let him go after just three appearances in as many years for the Bluebirds. No one has taken a punt on the 28-year-old just yet and he is still a free agent.

Will Vaulks

Probably one of the players who divided opinion when it came to whether the club should renew his contract or not, but he was allowed to leave. Found home at a massive club in Sheffield Wednesday, albeit in League One, and has been in and out of the starting XI at Hillsborough during his eight appearances.

Aden Flint

Another who some would have liked to have kept at Cardiff, but he, too, landed at a good club in Stoke City. Played the full 90 minutes in six of the Potters' eight league games and has registered an assist in each of his last two outings for the club, including playing a part in their last-gasp equaliser against Swansea City - something which has not been lost on Bluebirds fans.

Leandro Bacuna

Bombed out of Cardiff's squad after a horrendous red card offence against Bournemouth at the back end of last year and has not kicked a ball in anger since. Still looking for a new club, but appears to be spending much of his time in the Midlands, where he has roots owing to his Aston Villa days, plus his brother, of course, plays for Birmingham City.

Alex Smithies

After going on trial at Bournemouth, the goalkeeper was picked up by Premier League outfit Leicester City in the summer. Kasper Schmeichel left and Danny Ward, the Wales goalkeeper, has endured an undulating start to the campaign for the ailing Foxes. Smithies might think his call-up isn't too far away. Might we see him playing in the Premier League after all, after missing out on the chance to do so with Cardiff, this season? We shall see.

Marlon Pack

The midfielder was also released after three years with the Bluebirds. He had a number of options in the summer, all of them came with personal ties. Bristol City, his old club, took a fancy, so, too, did his old Robins boss, Steve Cotterill, up at Shrewsbury Town. However, Pack settled on a move to his boyhood club Portsmouth, for whom he has been a mainstay, playing every minute of their league fixtures so far. He even turned out for Pompey against Cardiff when they beat the Bluebirds in the Carabao Cup last month.

Ciaron Brown

Re-joined the club he left for on loan last season, Oxford United. Has played five of their seven league games and has featured both at centre-back and on the left for his new side.

Sean Morrison

Is currently actually with the club doing his rehabilitation as he recovers from surgery on his ACL injury. It is understood he is out on the grass and making good progress, but it still likely to be two months away from full fitness. What happens after that remains to be seen.

James Collins

Just didn't work out at Cardiff and they cut his deal short with a year still left to run to allow him to find a new club, which he did in Derby County. Started every game for the Rams and at the seventh time of asking he scored his first goal for the club, in a 3-2 defeat by Plymouth last weekend.

Sam Bowen

Fell out of favour when Steve Morison took charge, after coming into the fray under Mick McCarthy, and always looked destined to leave the club. Another whose contract was cut short to allow him to link up with James Rowberry at Newport County. Has played eight games in all competitions and looks to be a key part of what the Exiles are trying to do this season.

Mark McGuinness

Some thought he might play a big part in City's season, but with the signings of Cedric Kipre and Jack Simpson, McGuinness fell down the pecking order. Has joined a great club in Sheffield Wednesday, though, and has made a splash there during his short loan stint thus far.

Chanka Zimba

Following his loan stint with Northampton Town last season, Zimba will have been looking to up his numbers out on loan again this time around. However, he is still yet to score in a league game for James Rowberry's Newport County side after six League Two appearances. He is, though, yet to start a game.

Dillon Phillips

Jak Alnwick and Ryan Allsop's arrivals always looked likely to signal a loan departure for Dillon Phillips and so it proved, with the goalkeeper heading to Belgium to link up with KV Oostende. He's still not played for them, though, and has been on the bench the last four games.

Kieron Evans

The winger sought a loan move to non-League and has linked up with Torquay United. Has started three, come on in three and has failed to really make his mark. Needs to start posting some numbers to even start to work his way into Morison's thinking.

Eli King

Joined Crewe Alexandra in League One on loan, a good move for him. He played another full 90 minutes for them at the weekend but they lost 2-1 to Stevenage, with King picking up a booking in the 41st minute.

Jordan Hugill

After a positive loan spell last season, many though Cardiff might be tempted to go back in for the Norwich City striker this season. Returned to his parent club but has made only three substitute appearances, one against the Bluebirds in the season opener. One wonders whether he should have sought another move away.

Uche Ikpeazu

Went back to Middlesbrough but was never in Chris Wilder's plans and he has finally been moved on to Konyaspor in the Turkish top flight. He's made only three substitute appearances and, like Hugill, is yet to score.

Cody Drameh

Some very optimistic City fans hoped Cardiff would get last year's Player of the Season back on loan this year, but Leeds United finally saw sense and kept him around. Jesse Marsch even started him last time out. Played 70 minutes in the 5-2 battering by Brentford last weekend in the Premier League.

Tommy Doyle

Another Championship loan was the order of the day for the Manchester City man, who is now out on loan with Sheffield United. Struggled with injuries at the start of the season but has played the last four Championship games for the Blades, starting in the last two, providing a solitary assist against Reading.

Alfie Doughty

Went back to Stoke City but signed for Luton Town on a permanent basis in the summer. Picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season, sadly, and has not played a single minute of football in this campaign.

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