Cardiff boss Malky Mackay secures Craig Conway signing

Conway made 137 league appearances for United during his time on Tayside

New Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has made out-of-contract Scotland winger Craig Conway his first signing.

The Championship club have confirmed the free signing and the 26-year-old has agreed a three-year contract.

The former Dundee United midfielder has joined the Bluebirds despite interest from Scottish champions Rangers.

"It's really exciting to be coming and be the manager's first signing," he said. "I would imagine there's a few more to follow."

Conway agreed terms with the Welsh club on Tuesday and passed a medical on Thursday to join fellow Scotsmen Kevin McNaughton, Paul Quinn and David Marshall at Cardiff City Stadium.

Conway's agent, Mark Donaghy, held talks with Rangers last week but no offer was made by the Ibrox club.

Conway also reportedly attracted interest from Cardiff's Championship rivals Leeds United, Leicester City and Watford.

But when Watford boss Mackay moved to suceed Dave Jones at Cardiff, Conway decided to join his fellow countryman in south Wales as Mackay starts his Cardiff rebuilding job.

"I was really impressed by Malky Mackay when I met him when he was manager at Watford," Conway had told BBC Scotland.

Conway, signed by Dundee United in June 2006, has made two appearances for Scotland and scored twice in United's 3-0 Scottish Cup final win over Ross County in 2010.

New boss Mackay has only 15 recognised first-team players at Cardiff after Conway's arrival as 12 players left the club after last season's failed play-off campaign, including last season's top scorer Jay Bothroyd and fellow striker Michael Chopra.