Tonight's Cardiff City news as fresh player link emerges and coach lands huge new job

Wales Online

08-07-2025

Tonight's Cardiff City news as fresh player link emerges and coach lands huge new job
The latest Bluebirds news from Cardiff City Stadium
Welsh-qualified goalkeeper David Harrington (L) has been linked with Cardiff City
(Image: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda )
Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Tuesday, July 8.
Goalkeeper linked
Cardiff City are reportedly one of four clubs who have placed Fleetwood Town goalkeeper David Harrington on their transfer radar.
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The 25-year-old, who impressed in League Two last season before a shoulder injury in December, is also attracting interest from Bolton, Preston and Wigan, according to Football League World. Harrington, who is dual-qualified with the Republic of Ireland but was named in a Wales squad last November, is keen to secure regular football at a higher level to boost his chances of making Craig Bellamy's 2026 World Cup squad.
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Quite whether Cardiff will add a goalkeeper to their roster is contingent on whether one leaves, you would suspect.
They have Jak Alnwick, who is absent from their pre-season tour owing to a back spasm, and United States goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in their ranks.
Horvath, however, has been linked with a move away this summer in a bid to bolster his chances of making the World Cup, which North America hosts next year.
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City also have Matthew Turner and Jake Dennis on tour with them out in Spain, where new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy will be running a watchful eye over them. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
Northeast lands Besiktas job
Cardiff's former head of performance, Jonny Northeast, has been named as Besiktas' new head of performance.
Northeast joined Cardiff in December 2022 following a stint in Turkey with Besiktas, one of the three huge Istanbul clubs alongside Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community
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It was announced just over a week ago that Northeast would depart and it was understood that he was leaving to pursue an opportunity he couldn't turn down in Turkey.
"A mad few weeks but when an opportunity presents itself to you, you have to grab it with both hands," he said in a social media post.
"This week sees me say goodbye to 2.5years at CCFC to take up a new challenge 2.0. Thanks to all staff, players and partners who I have had the privilege to work with over the last two seasons.
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"Excited to start a new chapter and look forward to the season ahead."
Cardiff moved swiftly to appoint Kevin Gibbins, who worked under Barry-Murphy while at Rochdale.
Besiktas are currently managed by former Cardiff and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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Morrison: Surprised and said Ralls was allowed to leave
Sean Morrison has said he is "surprised" and "sad" that Joe Ralls wasn't kept on at Cardiff this year, but is excited by what's next for the midfielder.
Ralls left the club officially last week after his contract expired, bringing to an end a 15-year stay with the club which took in more than 400 games.
Both Ralls and Morrison, who are close friends, are in that 'City Legends' category, but the ex-defender was surprised his old friend was allowed to leave the club.
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Speaking to View From The Ninian, Morrison said: "It's sad, really sad. It's going to be so weird seeing him in a different kit, the strangest thing ever. We all know him from wearing that Cardiff City blue.
"It's sad but I'm so excited for him, that's where I left our conversation on the weekend. I'm so excited for his new challenge.
"All the stuff he does behind the scenes, he's such a stand-up guy. 400-odd appearances, which is absolutely bonkers in football now.
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"We are all so proud to have shared the pitch with him and watched him do what he's done. He is a proper legend and the club.
"I'm excited for him to start a new journey somewhere else, because hopefully that gives him a new lease of life."
He added: "I was really surprised with the decision to be honest. Whoever was going to come in as a manager —I've heard nothing but good things about this guy, this coach, from the football world— he is a really nice guy, stand-up guy and an honest guy.
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"The conversation I believe Joe had with him was a fantastic conversation. Whoever came in was going to have their own plans and people in mind, unfortunately Joe doesn't fit in with that.
"But I was surprised. He is the club captain and there is no one else in the changing room like that. It's going to be an odd situation, but it's a rebuild and how the manager wants to do it."
Morrison has officially retired from football now, saying he is concentrating on his family life, having a young son with wife Stacey.
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However, the next steps appear to be on the touchline, with Morrison keen to help the next generation. And that might well be at Cardiff.
"I've got the A licence and now it's just about going in and coaching," he said.
"I've been speaking to Gavin Chesterfield down at the academy and I know he would love me to come down there and start helping with the young kids and stuff.
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"I'm definitely going to go down there on a voluntary basis, probably starting this season." Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.