PREM STAR SIGNS FOR BLUEBIRDS
WARNOCK SIGNS UP KLOPP’S SERBIAN YOUNGSTER GRUJIC ON LOAN DEAL
CARDIFF City’s new signing Marko Grujic says he’s eager to help fire the Bluebirds to the Premier League after completing a sensational short-term move from Liverpool.
The Serb arrives at the Cardiff City Stadium on loan until the end of the season, with the Bluebirds set to pay his wages during that time.
And Grujic says he is eager to make the most of his chance in South Wales.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday (against Sheffield Wednesday) and the rest of the season,” he said on cardiffcity.co.uk.
“I want to make the Cardiff City fans happy and look forward to playing in front of them. I’ve seen the team play a couple of times, so I know what to expect.
“I can play across midfield and like to help in defence and attack. This is a strong team but I’m going to try my best to add something.
“I can’t wait to start this adventure. It’s really exciting.
“This is a good opportunity for me, to play in a club that will be fighting until the end to get in to the Premier League.
“To work with a manager like Neil Warnock is something I’m looking forward to. I’ve heard good things about him and when he spoke to me he said some good things about me and that I had a chance to play as part of his squad.”
He added on Serbian media outlet Mozzart: “This is perhaps the breakthrough moment of my career. I am aware that I’ve got a great chance, playing for the next six months in a big club.
“I want to thank Mr Klopp for everything he’s done for me. He’s encouraged me many times over the last 18 months and I believe that I will justify his confidence.
“I hope I can get Cardiff to the Premier League.”
Snapping up a player once dubbed ‘the new Nemanja Matic’ will surely be seen as something of a coup for boss Neil Warnock, who’d already strengthened his side’s midfield options with the loan signing of Yanic Wildschut earlier in the window.
Grujic himself is likely to be grateful at the chance of some playing time, having only made 14 senior appearances since arriving at Anfield in 2016.
His only start has come in the Carabao Cup tie with Leicester earlier in the season, and Jurgen Klopp is understood to have insisted on assurances that Grujic will see regular first-team action.
Championship rivals Middlesbrough, under Welshman Tony Pulis, were understood to be interested in handing the youngster a chance of regular senior football, but Cardiff have pipped the Teessiders to the post in landing what will surely be seen as the most exciting signing of the Warnock era.
Meanwhile, former Bluebirds striker Cameron Jerome, who was linked with a return to Cardiff City, has joined their promotion rivals Derby County from Norwich City.
The 31-year-old, who has scored two goals in 17 games for the Canaries this campaign, has signed an 18-month deal after moving for an undisclosed fee.
“I’m delighted to welcome Cameron to Derby County,” boss Gary Rowett told the Rams’ website.
“We believe that he will fit into our style of play and will add something different to our forward options.”