Flint eager to begin Bluebirds’ career on busy day for Cardiff
CARDIFF City have unveiled towering centre back Aden Flint as their fifth signing of the summer so far. Flint has penned a three-year contract with the Bluebirds after a £6m deal was struck with City’s Championship rivals, Middlesbrough.
The 30-year-old stopper only moved to the Riverside last summer in a £7m switch from Bristol City and made 46 competitive appearances for Boro last season, but will now compete with Sean Morrison, Sol Bamba and Curtis Nelson at the centre of the Bluebirds’ defence.
After the move was wrapped up, a delighted Flint said: “I’m excited to be here and thankful for the opportunity. It came about really quick.
“Everyone wants to play in the Premier League, and that’s why I’ve joined. Hopefully we can get the right results, get promoted again, and have another opportunity to do that.
“I’m looking forward to getting going. I can’t wait for the first match.”
Flint arrives as a direct replacement for Bruno Manga, who completed a £3m move to French Ligue 1 outift Dijon yesterday.
The Gabonese international has made 150 league appearances for Cardiff after joining the club from Lorient in 2014.
Manga, who cited family reasons as the motivating factor for his return home to France, was quick to pay tribute to the club he’ll be leaving behind.
“To Cardiff City, as you will know I have decided to leave but I didn’t want to go without saying a proper goodbye,” he said.
“There are loads of people I’d like to thank for the five years I spent in South Wales. I loved my time at the club and will have many fond memories.
“Thank you to the manager, the owner and the board for giving me the opportunity to play for you, and the brilliant players and staff that helped me along the way. I have made some great friends and will be sorry to say goodbye.
“Finally, to the fans... you have been
incredible to me over the last five years, and know that I will never forget you.”
Manga’s departure was not the only Cardiff City exit confirmed yesterday; West Brom wrapped up the £8m purchase of Bluebirds front man Kenneth Zohore.
Zohore has put pen to paper on a fouryear contract with the Baggies.
Baggies head coach Slaven Bilic (above) said: “He is a player who has got more than a bit of everything, he’s strong, he has pace, he has good skill.
“He knows the league, he knows the country, he’s already got good experience but he’s still got room to improve.
“He’s not the finished article yet. I hope he’s going to be a very good player for us.”
In a statement, the Bluebirds said: “Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that forward Kenneth Zohore has agreed a deal to join West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ken for his contribution and wish him the very best for his future.”
Zohore, who scored 25 goals in 89 competitive appearances for the club, had one year left on his contract at the Cardiff City Stadium and his departure has sparked a mixed response from fans.
The Bluebirds are now expected to step up their pursuit of a new striker ahead of the transfer window closing early next month.