Marley Watkins: Cardiff City sign Wales winger on short-term deal

Marley Watkins played in Cardiff City's pre-season loss to Southampton last month

Cardiff City have signed winger Marley Watkins on a short-term contract until the end of August.

The 30-year-old Wales international had been on trial with the Bluebirds, featuring in two pre-season friendlies this summer.

Watkins had been without a club since his release from Bristol City at the end of last season.

He started his career in the Swansea City youth ranks and counts Barnsley and Aberdeen among his former clubs.

Watkins' signing with Cardiff was announced an hour before Tuesday's EFL Cup game against Sutton United, and he marked his debut with two goals in a 3-2 win.

"He's done [his chances of signing a longer-term contract] no harm," said Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy.

"It's just a short-term contract for now. But I thought he did really well.

"It is a trial period. Absolutely that. He came in for pre-season but the rules dictate you can only play two friendlies and he played the one at Bath; he played with a bit of an injury and he was wanting to play, but he didn't do anything.

"Then he had 10 days, two weeks off. So to be fair to him and to be fair to us, we had to have another look at him.

"So we have just had this short-term deal and that's what it is."

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