Cardiff City

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Omer Riza says he was happy with his first transfer window as Cardiff City manager despite missing out on some targets.

Cardiff signed striker Yousef Salech from Swedish side Sirius for a fee believed to be at least £3m, while they brought in midfielders Sivert Mannsverk and Will Alves on loan from Ajax and Leicester City respectively.

The Bluebirds were also linked with a deadline-day move for West Bromwich Albion forward Karlan Grant, who spent last season on loan in the Welsh capital.

Despite a strong start to this campaign with the Baggies, Grant looks to have fallen down the pecking order since the return of head coach Tony Mowbray.

Rumours of a Cardiff reunion for Grant grew again when West Brom signed fellow forward Adam Armstrong on loan from Southampton late on deadline day, but Grant stayed at the Hawthorns.

Asked if there was any truth in the speculation, Riza said: "I know Karlan did really well here last season. Everyone speaks highly of him. It was all a bit late in the day, really.

"I don't like to rush transfers and get something done quickly - just because something comes up

"I heard something but there was nothing there for us. I don't want to talk on his behalf, but I think Karlan is happy where he is and wants to fight for his place, which shows the character he is. I wish him all the best."

Speaking about Monday's final day of the transfer window, Riza added: "It was quite relaxed. I was happy with what we had.

"There was potentially one I was waiting on. One went on a permanent move somewhere, another went to a club higher up the league.

"We did our work, signed diligently. I'm really happy. It was a good window. I wasn't glued to the phone or anything like that. Boys have gone out on loan, good for their development."

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Iwan Roberts has described Cardiff City loan signing Will Alves as a rising star with the potential to "go all the way".

Alves joined the Bluebirds on loan from Leicester City before Monday's transfer deadline.

Former Foxes striker Roberts says the 19-year-old is highly regarded at Leicester, where his progress has been hampered by a cruciate knee ligament injury.

"He has bags of potential [and a] fantastic attitude - a really good, honest, humble lad," Roberts told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"I spoke to [former defender] Gerry Taggart, who has worked with him in the Leicester academy.

"Leicester rated him really highly. They thought he is a similar type of player to Harvey Barnes - plays in the wide area, loads of pace, quite direct, can score a goal and create.

"But he had a really bad knee injury a couple of years ago. He hasn't played many games for Leicester and that's the reason why."

Alves suffered the knee injury when playing in an FA Youth Cup tie in December 2022.

He was just 17 at the time but had already made two senior appearances for Brendan Rodgers' Leicester side.

Alves returned to first-team football earlier this season, playing in two EFL Cup ties before making his Premier League debut against Manchester City in December.

He will now look to play regular senior football for the first time having joined Cardiff on loan for the rest of this season.

"When he first burst on the scene, Leicester were fighting to stay in the Premier League and Brendan Rodgers was reluctant to give him opportunities, which was understandable because of the situation they were in," ex-Wales international Roberts added.

"Then he did his ACL [as a result of] a horrendous tackle. But he's a real talent. He's only 19, potentially he could go all the way."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Time will tell what impact Yousef Salech, Sivert Mannsverk and Will Alves will have at Cardiff City.

But as the dust settles on the mid-season transfer window, the Bluebirds will presumably be feeling fairly happy with the work done in the last few weeks.

Omer Riza's first transfer window as a manager began with some uncertainty over what business Cardiff might do.

Riza appeared uncertain about transfer plans, with Cardiff fan groups uniting to express concerns about the "current situation at the club" on the eve of the window.

But in a message to supporters published on the club's website, chairman Mehmet Dalman described January as an "opportunity to fix some of the problems on the pitch" - and Cardiff's hierarchy have delivered new faces.

Striker Salech (above), who cost upwards of £3m, has a goal to his name already, while Mannsverk (below) brings pedigree in midfield and Alves is a highly-regarded young player who should relish the chance to play some football in the Championship.

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Cardiff fans might have hoped for more, particularly amid talk that former loanee Karlan Grant might leave West Brom before Monday's deadline, but Riza's squad looks in better shape now than it did at the end of December.

Salech is a replacement for Wilfried Kanga, whose desperate loan spell in Wales was brought to an end last month, while fellow frontman Roko Simic will hope to force his way into first-team contention having returned to Cardiff after a stint on loan at Kortrijk.

Mannsverk, who is on loan from Ajax, gives Riza a welcome option in midfield, particularly on the back of Manolis Siopis' January switch to Panathinaikos.

Siopis was perhaps the most notable exit of the window, which also saw Kion Etete head out for a temporary spell at Bolton and Michael Reindorf join Bristol Rovers on loan.

Cardiff will hope the two forwards come back stronger in pre-season after spells away, and the same goes for Joel Colwill, who is getting a taste of League One with Exeter City having thrived in League Two with Cheltenham Town in the first half of the campaign.

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Omer Riza says the time was right for both Cardiff City and Manolis Siopis for the Greek midfielder to leave the Bluebirds.

Siopis, 30, returned to his homeland to join Panathinaikos last week having made 64 appearances for the Bluebirds.

"Sio is a great lad. He'll be missed," Riza told BBC Radio Wales.

"It was probably the right time for the club and the player. He's returning home to Greece to one of the biggest clubs in the country for him.

"We wish him all the best, he's a great guy."

Prior to Cardiff's 7-0 hammering against Leeds United at Elland Road, the Bluebirds also allowed forward Kion Etete to join Bolton Wanderers on loan after he signed a new deal with the Welsh club.

And Riza hopes the 23-year-old can prove his worth with the League One side during the final months of the 2024-25 campaign.

"For Kion what's important is consistency, playing games, scoring goals and becoming robust in a league below where he can play regularly. Hopefully he'll do that," added Riza.

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Omer Riza says Cardiff City could add "one or two" more players to their squad prior to Monday's 23:00 GMT transfer deadline.

The Bluebirds brought in striker Yousef Salech and midfielder Sivert Mannsverk last month but remain eager to make further additions to their squad.

Leicester City's Will Alves is among the club's targets, although while he could yet make more signings in the final hours of the winter window, Riza says he is happy with the options he currently has at his disposal.

"I think we're not far off now, and I'm happy with the squad and the players that we've got," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"If we get one or two more, great. If we don't, we're ready for the second part of the season."

Prior to the Bluebirds' crushing 7-0 defeat at Leeds United, Cardiff announced striker Callum Robinson, left-back Callum O'Dowda and goalkeeper Jak Alnwick had all signed new contracts with the club.

Forward Kion Etete also penned fresh terms with the Bluebirds before joining League One side Bolton Wanderers on loan.

And Riza admits the raft of deals will help Cardiff build for the long-term.

"It's good, they're really important players, Callum, Robbo and Jak have all done really well this year and are important parts of the team," added the Cardiff boss.

"It's nice to have them sorted for the following seasons. I think it's important, things are starting to fall into place now. We can all move forwards together."

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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza has welcomed the return of star midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

The 34-year old Wales captain played 45 minutes for Cardiff Under-21s in the Premier League Cup hours before the first XI were humbled 7-0 at Leeds United.

Ramsey set up a goal as Cardiff beat Everton 3-2, his first appearance since August because of a hamstring injury suffered playing for Wales in September.

Riza says Ramsey's return provides a boost for Cardiff in a week where their future was improved by key players Callum Robinson, Jak Alnwick and Callum O'Dowda signing new contracts.

"I managed to watch a bit, it was nice to see Aaron get 45 minutes," he said.

"It's nice to see him training and on the pitch, it is positive.

"Now we need to get him to a place where he can compete at a high level."

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Cardiff boss Omer Riza apologised to Bluebirds fans after his side were thrashed 7-0 at Elland Road by Championship leaders Leeds United.

The scoreline did not flatter the home side, who might have won by a bigger scoreline, as Leeds boss Daniel Farke noted.

The Bluebirds' defeat was their heaviest in the league since 1966 and ended Cardiff's unbeaten run of nine games, with Riza's side 19th, four points ahead of the relegation zone.

"Brutal. I'm very disappointed. I can only apologise to the travelling fans," Riza said.

"To lose 7-0 is unacceptable really, no matter how good the opposition is, but we have to move forwards.

"We laid down towards the end and conceded really cheap and simple goals. The aggression to stay in the game wasn't there."

Riza says he was hurt by the manner of the defeat.

"To come away and get beaten 7-0 is painful," Riza told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"Now it is about how we deal with it. It's a painful day for all involved and we have to learn from it.

"Leeds were miles better than us, that is why they are top of the league and we are where we are.

"It was a humbling and a very disappointing day for us as a staff and a club and players. I think we froze in the first 15 minutes and there were so many things we didn't get right."

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Manolis Siopis has confirmed his imminent Cardiff City departure with a heartfelt message for the club's fans.

The Greece midfielder, 30, is set to return to his homeland with official confirmation of his permanent transfer to Panathinaikos expected on Friday.

After a bright start to his Cardiff career following his move to south Wales in 2023, Siopis has featured less regularly of late.

But he remains a big hit with the club's supporters thanks to his colourful personality and combative attitude on the pitch.

Writing on Instagram, Siopis said: "It's been an incredible experience playing for Cardiff City, and I feel truly blessed to have shared so many beautiful moments with you.

"I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the amazing fans for your unwavering love and support. A huge thank you to my team for making my dream of playing in such a competitive league a reality.

"A special thanks to everyone at the club - the staff, coaches, board members, and everyone working behind the scenes - your hard work and dedication make this club special.

"Wishing you all the best! May the team reach new heights, overcome every challenge, and continue making the fans proud. I'll always be cheering you on, and who knows - maybe our paths will cross again someday."

Leeds will seek to get back to winning ways after the stalemate at Burnley as they welcome Cardiff to Elland Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Bluebirds are 18th, four points ahead of the drop-zone, while Whites have a two-point cushion over second-placed Sheffield United.

• Leeds United have won each of their past two league games against Cardiff City and will be looking to win three in succession against the Welsh side for the first time since September 2016.

• Cardiff City have lost just one of their past 13 away league games against Leeds United (W7 D5), a 1-0 loss at Elland Road in November 2015.

• Leeds are unbeaten in their past 11 Championship matches (W7 D4), and have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three – they last managed four consecutive shutouts in the competition in January/February 2024 (a run of five).

• Cardiff have won just one of their past 16 away league games (D8 L7), though the Bluebirds have scored exactly two goals in five of their last six outings on the road.

• Since the start of last season, Dan James has been directly involved in 23 goals in 33 league appearances at Elland Road (16 goals, seven assists); the most of any Leeds player in this period.

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Ivor: As courageous and together the team are, they are just not good enough. Every season two teams show they are superior with points far ahead at the top, they also manage to sign excellent strikers, why can't city?

Terry: Football is a constant revolving door, players come and players go. Done properly, football is a balance between squad improvement and the development of younger players, of course all dependent on a budget. For teams like Cardiff it's always a trade-off, will the next one through the door improve the overall standard.

Stephen: The team are still in a relegation battle due to the very poor start to the season, despite the recent upturn in form. Teams around us are picking up valuable survival points. A few games without any points could easily see us drop back into the bottom three. There have been goals leaked all season by not shutting down the opposition.

Andy: Omer Riza is doing great, the players are really playing for him, as well as grinding out results. A few more areas could do with bulking.

Mark: Given the injuries to both Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull, I think extra creativity from midfield is needed. The new Norwegian player is more of a defensive midfielder, so we could do with a 10 or a second striker who plays behind the main striker. We could also do with a winger or an inside forward that can cross the ball, that would be a bonus.

Michael: It looks as though the search for a decent goal scorer has finally come to an end with the signing of Salech. He looks to be a proven 'poacher' in the old school sense of the word. The midfield is solid, you've got Robinson chipping in with goals and Joe Ralls providing some grit and steel. However, defensively I think the team might need another good defender.

Doushki: Desperately need additions at right and left back, Perry Ng's form has been shocking this season and Joel Bagan needs competition. Andy Rinomhota has been a good backup for Ng, but we need better. I'd also like a new keeper as Alnwick's distribution is shocking and Horvath is awful. A new speedster out wide is also required to give us more options going forward.

Jonathan: I've been impressed with a couple of the signings so far, but we still need a decent pacey winger, a creative midfielder and a solid left back before the window shuts. We're still in a relegation fight and the fixtures over the next month will determine whether we are still in that fight come March and April.