Smithies savours ‘fantastic’ feeling
CARDIFF City have wrapped up the transfer deal for Alex Smithies, with the former Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper confirmed as a Bluebird on a four-year deal.
Smithies becomes Cardiff’s third summer signing, following in the footsteps of Josh Murphy and Greg Cunningham.
He will vie for the No.1 jersey with current stopper Neil Etheridge, with Brian Murphy third choice – while Lee Camp is expected to depart the club this summer.
After passing a medical, Smithies’ move – for a fee around the £4million mark included add-ons – has been rubber-stamped and he was unveiled as a Cardiff player yesterday. His deal runs until the summer of 2022.
The former England youth international began his professional career with his hometown side, Huddersfield Town, where he made a total of 275 appearances.
Smithies, 28, tasted promotion to the Championship with the Terriers in 2012, scoring the winning penalty in their League One Play-Off Final shootout victory over Sheffield United at Wembley.
He then signed for QPR in August 2015 and has since pulled on the shirt for the Championship side 109 times, and went on to pick up Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2016/17.
Neil Warnock is a long-time admirer of the keeper. The Bluebirds boss said: “I wondered if he just has a blinder when he plays against us. But having watched Alex for a while, there is no doubting his pedigree.
“He’s a lad that knows he will have to fight for his place. Neil Etheridge had a fabulous season in 2017/18 and improved as time went on. It’s great for us to have that healthy competition.”
“It feels fantastic,” Smithies said. “I’m delighted to get it over the line. I’m looking forward to being a Premier League footballer for Cardiff City – it’s a fantastic opportunity for me.
“With the atmosphere at the club at the moment, it’s a great place to be.
“They had a fantastic season last time out and thoroughly deserved to get promoted.”