INTRODUCING THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AT BLUEBIRDS

WHILE Cardiff City fans wait for their side’s first major signing of the January transfer window, the club has been busy wrapping up two deals for the longer term.

Ogo Obi and Ciaron Brown are the players set to join the Bluebirds’ Under-23s squad this month, as the Neil Warnock inspired overhaul of the club’s youth system continues. Both Warnock and Craig Bellamy have been keen to bolster the Under23s after a number of players were released last season.

Both men are expected to feature for Jarred Harvey and Andy Legg’s side for the remainder of the campaign and come highlyrated.

OGO OBI

A 19-year-old Nigerian striker, formerly of Watford, Ogo has flirted with some big clubs over the past few years and comes with the reputation of having been a teenage ‘wonderkid’.

Obi was the target for Liverpool and Arsenal as a schoolboy and had a trial at Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United a couple of years ago after netting 10 goals in five games for Watford’s youngsters in the 2013 Milk Cup.

He seems to have slipped down the ratings of late, but could be handed a chance by the Bluebirds after impressing for the Under-23s.

With Ibrahim Meite on loan at Crawley and Rhys Healey now a first team contender, the development squad are short of a striker. Obi fills that void, and has scope to improve.

CIARON BROWN

Wealdstone have announced that centre-back Brown has officially linked up with the Bluebirds, after impressing on trial.

Brown, still only 20, arrived at the National League South club from amateur outfit Bedfont Sports in the summer of 2016 and quickly looked at home in semi-professional football. He was a favourite among Wealdstone fans after being plucked from nowhere by serial talentspotter Gordon Barlett, the club’s former manager.

Brown was briefly linked with Sheffield Wednesday before Christmas, with his ability to play across the back line and combine physical and composed defending clearly catching the eye of Championship clubs.

The scouts were keen to watch Brown, above, in action for the Stones, as he helped them to an eighth-placed finish in the sixth tier of English football.

Brown will now feature for Cardiff Under-23s and hope to earn a long-term stay in the professional game.