CITY SIGN STAR JOSH
MURPHY IS CARDIFF’S FIRST SUMMER RECRUIT... AND CUNNINGHAM IS SET TO FOLLOW
CARDIFF City yesterday confirmed the signing of Josh Murphy from Norwich City, with boss Neil Warnock revealing the gifted winger was his ‘No.1 target.’
The wide man becomes the Bluebirds’ first signing for the summer, signing a four-year deal with Neil Warnock’s men for an undisclosed fee.
It has been reported that Cardiff would have to pay a fee of £11m to secure the services of Murphy, and it is understood that the eight-figure sum previously reported is accurate.
The 23-year-old had loan spells with Wigan Athletic and MK Dons and made 47 appearances in all competitions for the Carrow Road outfit last term, scoring 11 goals.
He made nine Premier League appearances for the Canaries during the 2013-14 campaign, the same season in which the Bluebirds made their debut in the division.
Murphy traditionally operates on the left wing, although he can also play on the right flank or as a secondary striker.
Speaking to iFollow Cardiff City, Warnock said: “Josh is a player I’ve watched for a number of years now and he’s always excited me when he runs with the ball.
“I think he’s at the right age now with his best still to come. He can play an instrumental part in helping us to stay in the Premier League and I know he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“He’s been my number-one target since the end of last season.”
Murphy joined Norwich’s academy as a schoolboy and made his first-team debut for the Canaries in 2013. And the 23-year-old feels he couldn’t be joining the Bluebirds at a better time.
“I’m buzzing to be here [at Cardiff City FC] and in the Premier League,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with these boys week-in and week-out and hopefully doing something special.
“I’ve a lot of time now to get used to the boys, so this is the perfect time to come here.
“The city is beautiful, nice and chilled and the people seem really lovely. This is an exciting time and a great place to be.”
City fans who made the trip to watch the Bluebirds against Norwich at Carrow Road back in September 2016 will remember Murphy’s 90thminute effort that secured the Canaries the points on that day.
Indeed, the youngster bagged a couple against City during his time on loan at MK Dons and, although he remembers those strikes well, is now firmly looking to the future.
“I’ve scored a couple against Cardiff, yeah, but now it’s all about scoring goals for us,” Murphy reflected. “I can’t wait get going and hopefully hit the ground running.
“The manager [Neil Warnock] has been absolutely brilliant, especially the way he’s told me that he wants to play and use me. I can’t think of a better fit and can’t wait to get started.”
And with Premier League fixtures being released at 9am tomorrow morning, there are two dates that he will be keenly looking out for.
Twin brother Jacob signed for Newcastle United 12 months ago and the two will have the chance to make history (if selected) to play as the first twins to face each other in the Premier League Murphy continued: “I’ll be looking to see what our opening fixture is, of course, but after that I’ll look for the Newcastle games and see when we’re going to have a bit of Murphy vs. Murphy!
“That’ll be nice for the family, before and after, but for those 90 minutes it’ll be ‘winner takes all.’”
Meanwhile, full-back Joe Bennett is not expected to leave the Welsh capital this summer despite being targeted yet again by Fulham.
The former Aston Villa and Middles-
brough player is settled in Cardiff and it is thought he will remain with the newly-promoted club. It has been reported in recent days that Fulham will make another attempt to sign the 28-year-old from Neil Warnock’s grasp after a failed attempt last summer.
Bennett, whose contract runs up until the summer of 2019, turned down bigger wages from Fulham last summer to remain in south Wales.
The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that Fulham, who are also heading into the Premier League for 2018/19, are prepared to trigger a £2m release clause for Bennett.
However, the Echo understands that clause effectively no longer exists from this season.
It certainly was in place when Fulham made him an offer last summer, but following Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League the specific clause is now inactive, with the Bluebirds having no intention of selling the player.