Moore exits Cardiff as Cherries seal deal
BOURNEMOUTH last night announced the signing of Kieffer Moore after the striker submitted a transfer request to Cardiff City.
The deal brings an end to 18 months in the Welsh capital for the forward, who scored 25 goals for the Bluebirds during his time with the club.
The 29-year-old has been the subject of transfer interest from the Cherries for the majority of the window, having been unable to play for Cardiff due to an injury he sustained against his new club back on December 30.
As the window moved closer to deadline day, speculation only grew and Bournemouth finally acted on their interest to sign the player on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
And it has now emerged that the Wales forward made his intentions clear when, to the club’s surprise, he handed in a transfer request.
It is understood the fee could rise to as high as £5m, with add-ons included.
Cardiff signed the Wales international from Wigan for £2m back in the summer of 2020.
“Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that Kieffer Moore has joined AFC Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee,” a Cardiff statement read.
“The forward leaves South Wales having submitted a transfer request at Cardiff City Stadium.
“We’d like to thank Kieffer for his contribution during the 18 months he spent with us.”
With Moore departing, Cardiff were on the verge of announcing the loan signing of Middlesbrough striker Uche Ikpeazu late last night.
They were in for Ikpeazu at the beginning of the transfer window, but Boro batted away the Bluebirds’ advances, insisting they wanted the player to leave on a permanent basis.
However, in something of a shock U-turn, Boro relented on their stance and have allowed the 26-year-old to leave on a temporary basis for the remainder of the season.
Ikpeazu is a player Steve Morison has liked for some time and is a forward who can bring the physicality void which has been vacated by Moore’s departure to Bournemouth.
Ikpeazu impressed against Cardiff in both games for Wycombe Wanderers last term, but has found things a little tougher after moving to Boro.
The forward has scored three goals in 23 outings in all competitions this term.
The Western Mail was told last night that the deal was all but done subject to final pieces of paperwork.
Meanwhile, Cardiff allowed four of their first-team fringe players to leave on loan for the rest of the season.
Tom Sang is set for a spell up in Scotland with St Johnstone, a move perhaps in the pipeline following the arrival of Tommy Doyle from Manchester City.
Ciaron Brown, the defender who is in the final months of his contract with the club, will also head out, with League One club Oxford United set to be his destination. It looks unlikely Brown will play for the Bluebirds again.
Elsewhere, promising winger Kieron Evans, 20, will join Belfast-based club Linfield.
Lastly, Keenan Patten is set to head out on loan to Hereford FC in the National League North. Patten, 20, is yet to make his senior debut for the Bluebirds but has featured in 10 matchday squads.
And, finally, Cardiff rebuffed Oxford United’s deadline-day attempt to sign Mark Harris on loan.