Greg Cunningham: Cardiff City sign Preston North End defender

Greg Cunningham was a Manchester City trainee and has had stints at Leicester, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City

Cardiff City have completed a deal for Preston North End's Greg Cunningham.

The Bluebirds have signed the Republic of Ireland international defender for an undisclosed fee understood to be around £4m.

The 27-year-old is Neil Warnock's second signing of the summer after the Bluebirds signed Norwich winger Josh Murphy in a deal worth around £11m.

The full-back has signed a three-year deal as Cardiff begin planning for life back in the Premier League next season.

"It's fair to say that I've been an admirer of Greg for a number of years and that he's consistently been one of the best left-sided defenders for club and country," said Cardiff manager Neil Warnock.

"We're delighted to have his experience and knowledge so as to supplement Joe Bennett, who had a great time last season. I anticipate that Greg coming in will give us a lot of strength down that left-hand side."

Warnock had previously said he had been hoping to add five new faces to his squad this summer following promotion to the Premier League.

Cunningham has been a target for Cardiff in the past, with Preston rejecting a bid from the Bluebirds last August.

He has made 103 league appearances since arriving at Deepdale on a free transfer from Bristol City three years ago, and had 12 months remaining on his contract. Preston had been eager to agree a new deal.

Cardiff cool on McClean

James McClean was part of the West Brom team that was relegated from the Premier League in 2017-18

Cardiff were also keen on a potential deal for winger James McClean, who scored the winning goal for the Republic of Ireland against Wales in their World Cup qualifier last October.

West Bromwich Albion have turned down a bid from Stoke City for the 59-cap international and, with wages also a factor, Cardiff are refusing to break their budget plans and have turned their attention elsewhere.

Warnock said he had identified potential singings before the Bluebirds sealed their promotion from the Championship last month.

Contracts offered as Halford is released

Cardiff have offered new deals to midfielders Junior Hoilett and Aron Gunnarsson and goalkeeper Brian Murphy after their contracts expired. Wales Under-21 international Cameron Coxe has also been offered fresh terms.

Contract offers have also been made to under-23 players Tyrone Duffus, Lloyd Humphries, Ibrahim Meite and Jamie Vealen.

However, Greg Halford is likely to leave the Bluebirds along with Matthew Kennedy, Ben Wilson, Rhys Abbruzzese, Ogo Obi and Connor Young, son of former Cardiff assistant boss and captain Scott Young, who have all been released.