The Bermudian winger who became Cardiff's keeper

Nathan Trott was born in Bermuda but has played for England Under-20s

Cardiff City have had goalkeeper Nathan Trott to thank on several occasions this season, and they have a youth tournament in Bermuda to thank for him being in goal in the first place.

The 26-year-old, who is on loan from FC Copenhagen, has been instrumental to the Bluebirds' strong start to the season in League One, built on a strong defensive foundation - they have conceded only six goals in 10 games.

But things could have panned out very differently for Trott, who spent his early years in midfield and defence.

"I used to play outfield when I was younger, up until the age of 14, 15, but I used to go in goal for fun," he explains.

"We had a tournament for one of the Bermuda youth teams and I went in as a second choice goalkeeper just to get on the trip, basically. And the first-choice goalkeeper got injured and then I got into the team since and I played really well.

"So then after that tournament, I made the decision just to stick to goal. I enjoyed it a lot and I played well against some top teams, so I never looked back."

Trott had already caught the eye as a left-sided winger or full-back, spending two years in the youth set-up of Spanish giants Valencia, who had a satellite academy in Bermuda.

But his unexpected opportunity to go in goal came back in his home country, when he travelled to the Caribbean for the aforementioned tournament with the Bermuda under-15 team and goalkeeper Ajai Daniels sustained his injury.

Trott, whose father had played as a keeper, was then recommended to West Ham United by the Premier League side's Bermudian former striker, Clyde Best.

During his five years with the Hammers, Trott had loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, French side Nancy and Vejle in Denmark, before joining Copenhagen in 2024.

Then in August this year, he got a call from new Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"We had a Zoom call and he showed me what it is that the team is about," Trott says.

"He told me it was a young team, it was a team with a lot of talent and how they want to play and just a team that's growing in potential as well.

"So I think that was exciting for me to join, and it's a team that's looking to push to be getting promoted and to be winning games and that's something any player wants to be a part of."

After the disappointment of relegation from the Championship last season, Cardiff have made a promising start to life under Barry-Murphy.

The Bluebirds are fourth in League One, three points off top spot, and the fans have taken to Barry-Murphy's enterprising style of play and the faith he has shown in young players.

His aim is to dominate games, play on the front foot and build attacks from all parts of the field, so Trott's quality in possession – helped by years playing outfield – is an asset.

"I feel like I fitted right into what Brian wants in a goalkeeper," Trott says. "He's made the message clear before I even signed what he wanted from me, and it's just been up to me to be able to listen to what he wants me to do and use it in games, and I think it's gone pretty well so far.

"I feel like I have an advantage over other keepers in terms of how many years I played outfield. I'm just really comfortable with the ball at my feet, so maybe in some situations where maybe it seems a difficult place to play out from, I don't find it as difficult as maybe other keepers do in the league.

"So yeah, so I think it's just a big advantage for me and for the team that I'm able to play as almost like another outfield player."

There might be a time when Cardiff will need to call on Trott's outfield experience, perhaps if he is needed to go up for a stoppage-time corner when his team is chasing a last-gasp equaliser?

"I think so! If needs be, then I can definitely become a threat," he says.

"I've never tested that out yet, so hopefully we don't need to get to that point in the game where I have to do that."

If Trott can continue to perform his primary job as well as he has done so far this season, Cardiff will be glad to have him at the other end of the field.