CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 7:39 am
How life turned out for Cardiff City's Premier League signings from last time
By Calum Grant
Monday 23rd July 2018
The Bluebirds' first stint in the top flight was anything but boring - but how have the signings made during that season faring these days?
Cardiff City are a stone's throw away from their second stint in the Premier League.
The 2013-14 season started off so well for Cardiff, a 3-2 victory over Manchester City and a goalless draw at home to Everton in the first three games.
After a summer of expensive transfer fees, these results were supposed to set the trend for the remainder of the season.
However, we now know that wasn’t the case.
The Bluebirds infamous first season in Britain’s top flight was marred by a number of on-field and off-field implosions.
Malky Mackay unceremonious sacking, persistent fan clashes with Cardiff owner Vincent Tan and Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Norwegian experiment backfiring horrendously.
Now Cardiff have a second chance at the big time and with Neil Warnock at the helm, the Bluebirds have seemed to have learnt from their past mistakes.
They have invested far more sensibly in recruitment that doesn’t break the bank, as well as instilling a strong sense of fan unity that was a key omission from their first crack at the Premier League.
But let's rewind for a minute. Just where are those signings of that ill-famed season today?
1. Andreas Cornelius - £7.5million
Cardiff’s first signing of the 2013-14 season, the Danish international was fresh off his breakthrough year at senior level, scoring 18 league goals in 34 league games to guide FC Copenhagen to Danish Superliga glory.
At just 20 years old, Cornelius found himself in the Welsh capital after a club-record £7.5million move.
An injury in pre-season delayed the debut of the new striker and on his return in a League Cup match, Cornelius was stretchered off and was sidelined for a further three months.
Eleven appearances and no goals later, Cornelius returned home to Copenhagen on a cut-price deal in the winter transfer window.
After a further three-and-a-half seasons in Denmark, Cornelius moved to Serie A side Atalanta for around €3.5million.
Six goals in thirty-one appearances in his debut campaign was an improvement on his time in Cardiff. However, Cornelius has yet to rediscover the form he had shown while in the Danish capital.
Cornelius went on to represent Denmark in the World Cup this summer but saw his side go out to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16.
2. John Brayford - £1.5million
Brayford signed a four-year contract with the Bluebirds following his transfer from Derby County.
He failed to register a single Premier League appearance and was consequently loaned to Sheffield United for the latter half of the season.
After Cardiff’s relegation, Brayford returned to the Cardiff City Stadium and established himself as the first choice right-back, making 28 appearances during the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.
The Englishman returned to Sheffield United for £1.5million in January 2015.
He now plays for League One side Burton Albion, following their relegation from the Championship.
3. Simon Moore - £150,000
Signed as David Marshall’s understudy, Moore made the switch to the Premier League, arriving following a breakthrough season at Brentford.
But he was loaned out to Bristol City in the winter window after failing to displace Marshall.
Russell Slade gave Moore his chance to shine for Cardiff and produced a run of decent performances.
Moore signed for Sheffield United for £500,000 in 2016 after making 17 appearances in three years.
The stopper has made a successful career in North England, establishing himself as the Blades' No.1 and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year, leading Sheffield United to promotion to the Championship.
4. Steven Caulker - £8million
One of the more sensible transfers during Cardiff's solitary year in the Premier League.
Caulker went on to play every single minute of the Bluebirds’ campaign and scored five goals, giving Cardiff fans their best memory from that season with the winner against former club Swansea in the South Wales derby.
After spells at QPR, Southampton and Liverpool, the ex-Olympian and England international is now at Dundee.
Caulker has spoken bravely about his mental health issues and looks to be making a fresh start north of the border.
5. Gary Medel - £9.5million
Probably the most impressive signing Cardiff made during the 2013-14 season.
Medel wowed fans with his tenacious defending and received the fans’ man of the match against City in that famous 3-2 win.
Representing Chile at the 2014 World Cup, Medel impressed and helped his side defeat then World Cup holders Spain 2-0.
After Chile’s elimination from the tournament at the hands of Brazil, Medel left Cardiff for Inter Milan where he spent three seasons before moving to Beşiktaş in 2017.
6. Maximiliano Amondarain - Free
A name most Cardiff fans would have forgotten by now.
The Uruguayan signed after impressing on a one-month trial. However, Amondarain failed to get called up to the senior squad and was released in 2015.
He now plays for Barakaldo in the Spanish third division.
7. Kévin Théophile-Catherine - £2.1million
The seventh of eight summer signings Cardiff made, the Frenchmen swapped life in Rennes for Wales.
Arriving on a modest fee, the full-back was a regular for the Bluebirds that season, making 28 appearances.
Following the club's relegation, St Etienne acquired his services on loan for one year and then activated his release clause at the end of the loan.
The ex-Cardiff player has recently signed for Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb after his contract expired in France.
8. Peter Odemwingie - £2.25million
One Premier League goal in 15 appearances for the Nigerian, a dismal record for a dismal season.
After the sacking of Mackay, Odemwingie fell out of favour.
He left Cardiff for Stoke in a player-swap deal for Kenwyne Jones.
Now 36, the forward is now scoring goals for fun in the Indonesian League for Madura United.
9. Magnus Wolff Eikrem - £2million
The first of three Norwegian signings by Solskjær in the 2013-14 winter transfer window.
A product of Molde and Manchester United’s youth academies, there was high expectation on Eikram to suceed.
But he failed to shine and his contract was terminated under Slade after just 11 appearances.
The midfielder left Wales for Malmo and after two successful seasons in Sweden back at Molde, Eikram joined MLS side Seattle Sounders in 2018.
10. Mats Møller Dæhli - Undisclosed
Cardiff signed the Norwegian starlet after facing competition for his signature from Manchester United.
Hyped to be the saviour of the Bluebirds’ creativity issues and highly touted, Cardiff fans were excited to see their new signing in action.
The highlight of Dæhli’s tenure at Cardiff was a 95th-minute equaliser against West Brom.
Despite struggling at Cardiff, Dæhli has since gone on to earn 20 caps for his national team despite now playing in the German second division for cult club FC St. Pauli.
11. Jo Inge Berget - £2million
The final Norwegian signing and arguably the most forgettable, Berget made a solitary league appearance for City before his time was up.
A short loan deal to Celtic and then a transfer to Malmo ended Berget’s Welsh nightmare.
In a similar career path to Eikram, Berget is now at New York City FC in MLS with his days at the Cardiff City Stadium firmly behind him.
12. Kenwyne Jones - Player swap
Jones’ Cardiff career could not have had a better start, netting the winner on his debut in a 2-1 win over Norwich. But he failed to score another Premier League goal in Cardiff’s relegation battle.
The forward then had loan spells at Bournemouth, helping with their promotion campaign to the Premier League, and then with Al Jazira.
Jones retired from professional football at the age of 33 following a season for Atlanta United in MLS.
13. Fábio - Undisclosed
Also making his debut in Cardiff’s 2-1 victory against the Canaries, Fabio established himself in the starting XI, playing at either left or right-back.
The one-time Premier League winner stayed with Cardiff despite their relegation and became a fans' favourite after several impressive performances for the Bluebirds.
Fabio’s release clause was activated by Middlesbrough in August 2016 and has remained at the Riverside.
14. Wilfried Zaha - Loan
The Wilfied Zaha that we know today as come on leaps and bounds since his disappointing loan spell in the Welsh capital.
Failing to establish himself at David Moyes’ Manchester United, the Ivory Coast international put in a string of frustrating performances, failing to score in 13 appearances.
Now back at Palace, Zaha has had a career resurgence in recent years, receiving plaudits all round and helping to establish the Eagles as a mid-table Premier League outfit.
15. Juan Cala - Free
Cala arrived at the Cardiff City stadium on a free transfer after terminating his contract at Sevilla.
City fans will remember his long-range winner against Southampton as the highlight of his time in South Wales.
However, after publicly complaining about being made to train with the academy team, the club terminated the Spaniard’s contract with immediate effect.
Cala is now back playing in his home country for Las Palmas after brief stays at Granada, Getafe and Henan Jianye.
By Calum Grant
Monday 23rd July 2018
The Bluebirds' first stint in the top flight was anything but boring - but how have the signings made during that season faring these days?
Cardiff City are a stone's throw away from their second stint in the Premier League.
The 2013-14 season started off so well for Cardiff, a 3-2 victory over Manchester City and a goalless draw at home to Everton in the first three games.
After a summer of expensive transfer fees, these results were supposed to set the trend for the remainder of the season.
However, we now know that wasn’t the case.
The Bluebirds infamous first season in Britain’s top flight was marred by a number of on-field and off-field implosions.
Malky Mackay unceremonious sacking, persistent fan clashes with Cardiff owner Vincent Tan and Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Norwegian experiment backfiring horrendously.
Now Cardiff have a second chance at the big time and with Neil Warnock at the helm, the Bluebirds have seemed to have learnt from their past mistakes.
They have invested far more sensibly in recruitment that doesn’t break the bank, as well as instilling a strong sense of fan unity that was a key omission from their first crack at the Premier League.
But let's rewind for a minute. Just where are those signings of that ill-famed season today?
1. Andreas Cornelius - £7.5million
Cardiff’s first signing of the 2013-14 season, the Danish international was fresh off his breakthrough year at senior level, scoring 18 league goals in 34 league games to guide FC Copenhagen to Danish Superliga glory.
At just 20 years old, Cornelius found himself in the Welsh capital after a club-record £7.5million move.
An injury in pre-season delayed the debut of the new striker and on his return in a League Cup match, Cornelius was stretchered off and was sidelined for a further three months.
Eleven appearances and no goals later, Cornelius returned home to Copenhagen on a cut-price deal in the winter transfer window.
After a further three-and-a-half seasons in Denmark, Cornelius moved to Serie A side Atalanta for around €3.5million.
Six goals in thirty-one appearances in his debut campaign was an improvement on his time in Cardiff. However, Cornelius has yet to rediscover the form he had shown while in the Danish capital.
Cornelius went on to represent Denmark in the World Cup this summer but saw his side go out to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16.
2. John Brayford - £1.5million
Brayford signed a four-year contract with the Bluebirds following his transfer from Derby County.
He failed to register a single Premier League appearance and was consequently loaned to Sheffield United for the latter half of the season.
After Cardiff’s relegation, Brayford returned to the Cardiff City Stadium and established himself as the first choice right-back, making 28 appearances during the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.
The Englishman returned to Sheffield United for £1.5million in January 2015.
He now plays for League One side Burton Albion, following their relegation from the Championship.
3. Simon Moore - £150,000
Signed as David Marshall’s understudy, Moore made the switch to the Premier League, arriving following a breakthrough season at Brentford.
But he was loaned out to Bristol City in the winter window after failing to displace Marshall.
Russell Slade gave Moore his chance to shine for Cardiff and produced a run of decent performances.
Moore signed for Sheffield United for £500,000 in 2016 after making 17 appearances in three years.
The stopper has made a successful career in North England, establishing himself as the Blades' No.1 and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year, leading Sheffield United to promotion to the Championship.
4. Steven Caulker - £8million
One of the more sensible transfers during Cardiff's solitary year in the Premier League.
Caulker went on to play every single minute of the Bluebirds’ campaign and scored five goals, giving Cardiff fans their best memory from that season with the winner against former club Swansea in the South Wales derby.
After spells at QPR, Southampton and Liverpool, the ex-Olympian and England international is now at Dundee.
Caulker has spoken bravely about his mental health issues and looks to be making a fresh start north of the border.
5. Gary Medel - £9.5million
Probably the most impressive signing Cardiff made during the 2013-14 season.
Medel wowed fans with his tenacious defending and received the fans’ man of the match against City in that famous 3-2 win.
Representing Chile at the 2014 World Cup, Medel impressed and helped his side defeat then World Cup holders Spain 2-0.
After Chile’s elimination from the tournament at the hands of Brazil, Medel left Cardiff for Inter Milan where he spent three seasons before moving to Beşiktaş in 2017.
6. Maximiliano Amondarain - Free
A name most Cardiff fans would have forgotten by now.
The Uruguayan signed after impressing on a one-month trial. However, Amondarain failed to get called up to the senior squad and was released in 2015.
He now plays for Barakaldo in the Spanish third division.
7. Kévin Théophile-Catherine - £2.1million
The seventh of eight summer signings Cardiff made, the Frenchmen swapped life in Rennes for Wales.
Arriving on a modest fee, the full-back was a regular for the Bluebirds that season, making 28 appearances.
Following the club's relegation, St Etienne acquired his services on loan for one year and then activated his release clause at the end of the loan.
The ex-Cardiff player has recently signed for Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb after his contract expired in France.
8. Peter Odemwingie - £2.25million
One Premier League goal in 15 appearances for the Nigerian, a dismal record for a dismal season.
After the sacking of Mackay, Odemwingie fell out of favour.
He left Cardiff for Stoke in a player-swap deal for Kenwyne Jones.
Now 36, the forward is now scoring goals for fun in the Indonesian League for Madura United.
9. Magnus Wolff Eikrem - £2million
The first of three Norwegian signings by Solskjær in the 2013-14 winter transfer window.
A product of Molde and Manchester United’s youth academies, there was high expectation on Eikram to suceed.
But he failed to shine and his contract was terminated under Slade after just 11 appearances.
The midfielder left Wales for Malmo and after two successful seasons in Sweden back at Molde, Eikram joined MLS side Seattle Sounders in 2018.
10. Mats Møller Dæhli - Undisclosed
Cardiff signed the Norwegian starlet after facing competition for his signature from Manchester United.
Hyped to be the saviour of the Bluebirds’ creativity issues and highly touted, Cardiff fans were excited to see their new signing in action.
The highlight of Dæhli’s tenure at Cardiff was a 95th-minute equaliser against West Brom.
Despite struggling at Cardiff, Dæhli has since gone on to earn 20 caps for his national team despite now playing in the German second division for cult club FC St. Pauli.
11. Jo Inge Berget - £2million
The final Norwegian signing and arguably the most forgettable, Berget made a solitary league appearance for City before his time was up.
A short loan deal to Celtic and then a transfer to Malmo ended Berget’s Welsh nightmare.
In a similar career path to Eikram, Berget is now at New York City FC in MLS with his days at the Cardiff City Stadium firmly behind him.
12. Kenwyne Jones - Player swap
Jones’ Cardiff career could not have had a better start, netting the winner on his debut in a 2-1 win over Norwich. But he failed to score another Premier League goal in Cardiff’s relegation battle.
The forward then had loan spells at Bournemouth, helping with their promotion campaign to the Premier League, and then with Al Jazira.
Jones retired from professional football at the age of 33 following a season for Atlanta United in MLS.
13. Fábio - Undisclosed
Also making his debut in Cardiff’s 2-1 victory against the Canaries, Fabio established himself in the starting XI, playing at either left or right-back.
The one-time Premier League winner stayed with Cardiff despite their relegation and became a fans' favourite after several impressive performances for the Bluebirds.
Fabio’s release clause was activated by Middlesbrough in August 2016 and has remained at the Riverside.
14. Wilfried Zaha - Loan
The Wilfied Zaha that we know today as come on leaps and bounds since his disappointing loan spell in the Welsh capital.
Failing to establish himself at David Moyes’ Manchester United, the Ivory Coast international put in a string of frustrating performances, failing to score in 13 appearances.
Now back at Palace, Zaha has had a career resurgence in recent years, receiving plaudits all round and helping to establish the Eagles as a mid-table Premier League outfit.
15. Juan Cala - Free
Cala arrived at the Cardiff City stadium on a free transfer after terminating his contract at Sevilla.
City fans will remember his long-range winner against Southampton as the highlight of his time in South Wales.
However, after publicly complaining about being made to train with the academy team, the club terminated the Spaniard’s contract with immediate effect.
Cala is now back playing in his home country for Las Palmas after brief stays at Granada, Getafe and Henan Jianye.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:00 am
Very interesting, tbh I'd forgotten about half of those players, shows how poor they were.
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:41 am
Maximiliano Amondarain is no longer at Barakaldo in Spain, he moved back to Uruguay a while ago and last season played for CA Progreso in Montevideo. They have just started the Premier League Clausura yesterday and he wasn't in the matchday squad for their 2-2 draw away to Danubio.
I think the author was relying on Wikipedia.
And Fabio has moved to Nantes..
I think the author was relying on Wikipedia.
And Fabio has moved to Nantes..
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:59 am
Of all the dodgy/poor deals that stand out for us this signing of Maximiliano Amondarian has to be the oddest. I'd bet a few people benefited from that signing but it wasn't the club.
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 6:53 pm
Crappy Wales Online have updated their story now to take account of Fabio's move to Nantes, but they still haven't bothered to correct Maxi's move. Proper lazy Wiki journalism from them
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:01 pm
2blue2handle wrote:Of all the dodgy/poor deals that stand out for us this signing of Maximiliano Amondarian has to be the oddest. I'd bet a few people benefited from that signing but it wasn't the club.
he shouldnt be on the list ..wasnt a first team signing .
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:32 pm
dogfound wrote:2blue2handle wrote:Of all the dodgy/poor deals that stand out for us this signing of Maximiliano Amondarian has to be the oddest. I'd bet a few people benefited from that signing but it wasn't the club.
he shouldnt be on the list ..wasnt a first team signing .
Not sure what he was, who signs someone on a 5 year deal after a short trial to never actually play
dodgy as.
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Tue Jul 24, 2018 12:58 pm
Wow Caulker at Dundee and still only 26 years old.
He's much better than that. Such a shame.
If I were Warnock I'd be tempted to roll the dice on him. He probably wouldn't cost much and it's amazing what a bit of confidence can do for a player. He seemed to like it here. Who knows it might be what he needs to get his career back on track!
He's much better than that. Such a shame.
If I were Warnock I'd be tempted to roll the dice on him. He probably wouldn't cost much and it's amazing what a bit of confidence can do for a player. He seemed to like it here. Who knows it might be what he needs to get his career back on track!
Re: CITY TEAM FROM 2013/14: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Tue Jul 24, 2018 1:36 pm
12thMan wrote:Wow Caulker at Dundee and still only 26 years old.
He's much better than that. Such a shame.
If I were Warnock I'd be tempted to roll the dice on him. He probably wouldn't cost much and it's amazing what a bit of confidence can do for a player. He seemed to like it here. Who knows it might be what he needs to get his career back on track!
They recently turned down a 1.8 million bid for him doing well up here. Probably too good to be playing for Dundee if truth be told.
I always liked mats Moller Daeli, though he had real potential and had a nice touch. Disappointed when he left.
I though Cala was good as well, much more cultured CB than Ben Turner who he replaced.