Cardiff's Kevin McNaughton welcomes Connolly signing

Kevin McNaughton says the arrival of defender Matthew Connolly is a welcome addition to Cardiff City's squad.

The 24-year-old has joined Cardiff from Queens Park Rangers in a deal thought to be worth £500,000.

With Cardiff having made an unbeaten start to the Championship, McNaughton says Connolly's experience will be vital.

"Another experienced head to come into the back is what you need," McNaughton said.

"When you're pushing up the table you need those cool heads and guys with experience get you through."

A former Arsenal trainee, Connolly spent loan spells at Bournemouth and Colchester United before joining QPR for £1m in 2008.

He played 116 league games for the Loftus Road and spent a period on loan at Reading last season.

The defender is the seventh player to join Malky Mackay's side for the new season and McNaughton believes Cardiff have the strength in depth to maintain a push for promotion.

"We've added to the squad well," said the Scottish full-back.

"The guys we've brought in have been quality and we've kept the backbone of the team as well which is always good

"You don't really like to lose your best players at the end of the season, which hasn't happened.

"I think we've done well in the transfer market and the manager might bring a few more bodies in. It's looking good so far."

Cardiff maintained their unbeaten start to the Championship season with a 0-0 draw at Brighton and travel to Bristol City for the Severnside derby on Saturday.

The Robins beat Crystal Palace 4-1 in their second league game of the season on Tuesday having lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend.

"[There will be] a bit of a derby atmosphere at the weekend and I think everybody looks forward to those kind of matches," McNaughton added.

"The whole squad will be looking forward to that at the weekend."