' Six of Cardiff City's best '

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' Six of Cardiff City's best '

Postby Forever Blue » Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:54 am

Six of Cardiff City's best free transfers over the last decade


By Tom Coleman


Sunday 9th July 2017



Free transfers have been a key part of Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock's recruitment drive this summer.

Five of the six players to have arrived at Cardiff City Stadium in this window have arrived without a fee, although City did have to shell out a small amount in compensation to secure Callum Paterson's signature.

With Warnock already stating he is in the market for another three players before the start of the season , you wouldn't be too surprised if he had another look at the free transfer market once again.

Cardiff's track record in this department is mixed to say the least, but when they've got it right it has undoubtedly paid dividends.

Here are six of the best players to have pulled on the City jersey having arrived without a price tag over the last 10 years.




Sol Bamba

The Ivory Coast international signed as a free agent at the beginning of last season after leaving Leeds United by mutual consent. One of Warnock's first new recruits, Bamba was an instant hit, scoring the winner for the Bluebirds on his debut in the Severnside derby.

The City boss has made a point of singing the praises of his star centre-back, who shined in most of his 26 appearances last season.






Aron Gunnarsson

The commanding midfielder arrived in the Welsh capital in the summer of 2011 after failing to agree a new deal with previous club Coventry City, and has been an important first team player ever since.

Gunnarsson wrote his name into Cardiff City folklore in August 2013 by scoring the club's first ever Premier League goal. His popularity has steadily progress, and arguably reached another level when he captained Iceland during their sensational victory over England at Euro 2016.

Last season yielded yet more sparkling performances from the 28-year-old, who ended the campaign as the club's Player of the Year.



Craig Belllamy

A hugely controversial and often divisive character, Bellamy arrived for a second spell at his hometown club on a free transfer from Liverpool in 2012.

Despite only scoring four goals in his first season back at the club, the Welsh international was nevertheless an integral part of the side that won promotion to the top flight for the first time since 1962 and is thus fondly remembered by many Bluebirds fans.




Fabio

After being a part of the side relegated from the Premier League in 2014, the Brazilian became a first team regular for City, but then struggled to hold down a place in the side after the arrival of Russell Slade.

However, a series of impressive performances in the 2015/16 season saw him endear himself to many of the club's fans, who were equally delighted when he taunted Swansea City by doing the traditional Ayatollah salute while playing for Middlesbrough last season.






Chris Burke

The winger arrived after leaving Rangers in 2009, and soon established himself as an important part of the first team set-up, making over 100 appearances in two years. The Scot's best season arguably came in 2009/10, where he netted 10 goals in all competitions.

But despite his success at the club, he departed for Birmingham in the summer of 2011 after failing to agree a new deal.

The 33-year-old now plies his trade at Scottish side Ross County.


A key player in the club's run to the 2008 FA Cup final, Rae joined City a year earlier after leaving Rangers, where his first team opportunities had been largely restricted due to injury.

The midfielder was a first team regular in his first three seasons and went on to make 130 appearances for the club, before eventually falling out of favour.

He left for Leeds in 2011. Nevertheless, memories of his role in that magical cup run alone make him a worthy inclusion in this list.
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' Six of Cardiff City's best '

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Re: ' Six of Cardiff City's best '

Postby fred keenor » Sun Jul 09, 2017 10:38 am

Super kev should top this list
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Re: ' Six of Cardiff City's best '

Postby Chris Holmes » Sun Jul 09, 2017 6:40 pm

Burkey on trial at Kilmarnock yesterday, while Neil Alexander, back at Livingston, scored an oggy

Kilmarnock 1 - 0 Livingston

Chris Burke is on the brink of resurrecting his career with Kilmarnock eight months after being struck down with a virus.
The former Rangers and Scotland winger played the full 90 minutes yesterday as a trialist, having also trained with Lee McCulloch’s side for the past two weeks after leaving Ross County.

McCulloch said: “Chris is a good player, he lasted 90 minutes and I thought he did well. He has been training with us since the first day of pre-season and obviously we are keen on him.

“He was an international player not that long ago and he did well for Ross County last season so we will give it a bit of time.

“He was our bright spark. His movement was good and he put some good balls into the box. “We have signed Alex Samizadeh. He has passed his medical. I have a feeling he is going to be a fans’ favourite.”

The only goal was a nightmare for Neil Alexander who suffered the misfortune of scoring an own goal on his first game for Livingston since leaving them for Cardiff City in 2001. Callum Watters’ left foot shot after 50 minutes hit the crossbar and then the back of Alexander’s head before finishing in the back of the Livingston net.
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