Cardiff City

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Callum Robinson took his pre-season tally up to six goals, scoring twice in Cardiff City's 2-1 victory over Reading.

Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi watched from the directors' box as a host of big guns - including Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey - were not included.

Robinson charged down an attempted clearance to give Cardiff a fourth minute lead, before Femi Azeez flashed the ball home on 12 minutes to equalise.

Former Queens Park Rangers forward Chris Willock had his first outing at the Cardiff City Stadium in the second half, being denied by two good saves. Wales midfielder Charlie Savage also entered the fray for League One Reading.

Robinson's winner came 12 minutes from time, converting a deftly curled cross from substitute Luey Giles.

Cardiff complete their pre-season preparations away to League One outfit Bristol Rovers, on Saturday.

They kick off their Championship campaign at home to Sunderland on 10 August.

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Cardiff City’s Wales Under-19 international Japhet Matondo has joined Championship rivals Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.

Matondo, younger brother of Wales winger Rabbi, has signed a two-year contract at Stoke.

The Cardiff-born 18-year-old had been part of the Bluebirds’ academy set-up since he was seven years old. He will initially join up with Stoke’s under-21 squad.

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Former Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba has announced on social media that he is the new head coach of Turkish club Adanaspor.

Bamba, 39, spent five years as a Bluebirds player before returning to the Welsh capital as assistant to ex-manager Sabri Lamouchi in 2023.

The former Ivory Coast international, who has studied his coaching badges in Wales, has been looking to move into management for some time.

He will now get his first chance as a boss with Adanaspor, who finished 14th in the Turkish second tier last season.

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New signings Chris Willock and Calum Chambers will feature for the first time in Cardiff City colours in Thursday's friendly with Hertha Berlin (17:00 BST).

Forward Willock, 26, was Cardiff’s first signing of the summer window, agreeing a three-year deal having been out of contract after four years at Queens Park Rangers.

Former Arsenal defender Chambers, 29, followed soon after having been allowed to leave Premier League club Aston Villa.

Cardiff manager Erol Bulut says both will feature against the Bundesliga 2 side at Koasastadion, St Johann in Tirol – the last game of the Bluebirds’ Austrian training camp.

Bulut said: “They are not ready to play from the start or over 45 minutes. But we will try to use them for at least the last 30 minutes.

“After that we will have two games next week where they will also get minutes and so they can get closer to the conditions of their team-mates.

“They did not train for the first two weeks so much with the team but this week they have been with the team. They have a good quality and they can add to the quality we already have in the team.”

Bulut intends to field close to the same side which kicked off Cardiff's spell in Austria with a 3-0 win over Hamburger SV.

But there will be at least one change, as Yakou Meite has a slight ankle problem and will be replaced by Isaak Davies.

Pacy forward Davies has returned to Cardiff after a loan spell at Belgian club Kortrijk.

Bulut has already said he hopes to recruit at least two more signings in the next few days, with a striker and midfield player Cardiff's priorities.

Cardiff followed up the victory over Hamburg with a 1-1 draw against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.

Bulut believes the game against Hertha will be a step up again as preparations gather pace for the Championship opener at home to Sunderland on 10 August.

“I am happy how the team is acting," Bulut said.

"The first game we played mainly with, let’s say, the first squad, the second game was more the youngsters we want to see. Both games were positive for us.

“We would have liked to have won [against Mamelodi]. It was a tough game, good speed with a tough tempo. Hamburg was good the way we created chances."

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Cardiff City are stepping up their search to boost their striking options.

And they have shown tentative interest in Fulham’s England Under-21 striker Jay Stansfield.

The 21-year-old is on the Bluebirds’ radar after scoring 12 league goals on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship last term.

But it is reported Birmingham have opened talks to re-sign the Tiverton-born player on a permanent deal.

It also remains to be seen whether Fulham want to include the Exeter City academy product in their Premier League squad.

Cardiff are currently on a training camp in Austria, having yesterday chalked up a 3-0 win over Hamburger SV before taking on South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns, on Tuesday.

The Bluebirds are still in the hunt for Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson, who is also wanted by Portsmouth after helping them to promotion from League One last season.

Cardiff would dearly like to add at least one new signing to their tour squad in Austria this week.

They have signed former QPR forward Chris Willock and ex-Aston Villa defender Calum Chambers so far but a striker is a known priority for the club.

It is possible the club could go for two frontmen. Cardiff's need is obvious, given their joint top scorers last season were defender Perry Ng, Karlan Grant and Kion Etete, who mustered six each.

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Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson is on Cardiff City's radar as they seek to strengthen their squad.

Robertson, 21, had a successful loan spell at promoted Portsmouth in League One last season.

The Australia international is entering the last year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Cardiff manager Erol Bulut is looking to bolster his midfield.

That need is more acute as the club are happy to listen to offers for Ryan Wintle who has not travelled on the Bluebirds' tour of Austria.

Dundee-born Robertson moved to his father Mark's native Australia, at the age of four and then joined Manchester City at under-15 level following a spell with Manchester United.

Robertson had a brief loan at Ross County in Scotland, before impressing at Portsmouth as he made 23 league appearances and scored once before a hamstring injury that required surgery and ended his season in January.

Portsmouth are understood to be keen on a reunion with Robertson after their return to the Championship.

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Cardiff City strolled to a 7-1 win over Cymru Premier side Penybont ahead of their pre-season trip to Austria next week.

An experienced Cardiff side featuring Mark McGuinness, Jak Alnwick, Callum Robinson and Callum O'Dowda were 3-0 up at the break thanks to a Robinson double and another from Republic of Ireland international O'Dowda.

Wales youth international Ronan Kpakio caught the eye, creating two of the three goals.

After the break Erol Bulut made changes and introduced younger squad members.

His side scored further goals through Raheem Conte, Kieron Evans, Joel Colwill and Cian Ashford.

Chris Venables pulled one back with a header, though Penybont were already 5-0 down at that stage.

Cardiff now head to Austria where they will play friendlies against German side Hamburger SV, South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Bundesliga 2 outfit Hertha Berlin.

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Cardiff City will play South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns as part of their preparations for the new Championship season.

The Bluebirds will meet the Sundowns during their pre-season trip to Austria, with the game to be played at Waldstadion, Westendorf on Tuesday, 23 July.

The fixture completes Cardiff’s pre-season schedule.

Erol Bulut's side play two other games in Austria, against SV Hamburger on Sunday, 21 July and Hertha Berlin on Thursday, 25 July.

They face Kortrijk at Cardiff International Sports Campus this Saturday and Penybont on the same ground on Tuesday, 16 July.

After returning from Austria, Bulut's men host Reading on Wednesday, 31 July and then play their final pre-season match at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, 3 August.

They start the new season with a home game against Sunderland on Saturday, 10 August.