Cardiff City

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has explained that he substituted young centre-back Dylan Lawlor at Port Vale on Thursday to guard against a potential injury.

Lawlor, 19, was replaced by Will Fish in the 61st minute of the goalless League One draw.

Whereas Lawlor was substituted during the opening win over Peterborough United last Saturday to avoid him getting a second yellow card, his withdrawal at Vale Park was fitness-related.

"He had a tight hamstring at half-time and I was a little bit concerned. I saw him stretching early in the second half," Barry-Murphy told BBC Radio Wales.

"We're at that stage in the season where there can be a risk based on how much fitness we got into them [during pre-season] and that was a risk I didn't want to take."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City's opening English Football League (EFL) Trophy fixture of the 2025-26 season against Exeter City at St James Park will take place on Tuesday, 16 September (19:30 BST).

The Bluebirds have also confirmed they will host Newport County in their second group-stage match of the competition at 19:45 BST on Tuesday, 7 October.

Details for the club's final group fixture with Arsenal Under-21s will be announced in the coming weeks.

The top two teams in each group will progress into the knockout stages - with fixtures remaining regionalised until the quarter-finals.

The final will be held at Wembley on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

Ryotaro Tsunoda has left Cardiff City to join former club Yokohama F. Marinos back in his native Japan for an undisclosed fee, having never played for the Bluebirds in a competitive game.

The 26-year-old defender joined Cardiff in January 2024 but immediately joined Belgian side KV Kortrijk on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

However, he suffered a serious hamstring injury the following April that required surgery.

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan is also majority shareholder at the Pro-League side, who Tsunoda rejoined on loan in January 2025 for the remainder of last season while the Bluebirds unsuccessfully battled relegation to League One.

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City's winning start to life in League One not only laid down a marker – it was also a milestone.

The Bluebirds' win over Peterborough underlined that there will be a freshness about things at Cardiff City Stadium under new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

In their first outing since relegation from the Championship, the 2-1 victory showcased a new playing style to go with their promotion ambitions.

It also suggested the new man at the helm will place his faith in youth with the starting XI's average age at just 22, ten of the matchday squad academy graduates - and two from the same family.

It was the first time Rubin and Joel Colwill started a league game for Cardiff together – and the first time two brothers began a game for the Bluebirds in more than 40 years.

While they had previously appeared together for a few minutes off the bench in a defeat to Rotherham in 2024, as well as bench outings in EFL Cup games, you have to go back to 1983 and the presence of Gary and Dave Bennett (pictured below) for the last time siblings kicked off a league game for Cardiff.

In what could be seen as a good omen for supporters, that was in a season where the club gained promotion from the third tier having been relegated the season before.

Image source, Mirrorpix via Getty Images

The first brothers to play for Cardiff were George and John who featured together between 1911 and 1915, with captain John the first Cardiff player to score in a south Wales derby.

Included in Wales defender Ron Stitfall's 453 appearances for the club were a handful of games with brother and fellow defender Albert, but goalkeeping brother Bob never made it onto the field at the same time.

Similarly, while Paul and David Giles racked up close to 150 games between them in the late-70s and 1980s, their times at their hometown club never overlapped.

But the most iconic example is the period between 1963 and 1965 where Welsh football's legendary brothers – Mel and John Charles – were both Bluebirds.

The pair, though, never managed to play for Wales together during their time at Ninian Park – something for nine-cap Rubin Colwill and Under-21 international Joel to aim for now they've set a club milestone as Bluebird brothers.

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City are aiming to make four signings before the transfer window closes, with a move for Copenhagen goalkeeper Nathan Trott seemingly close.

The Bluebirds are yet to sign anyone this summer but are reportedly lining up the 26-year-old former England Under-20 international, who started his career at West Ham.

Chairman Mehmet Dalman appeared to confirm that move was imminent when he was asked about the club's transfer dealings.

"We've got a goalkeeper coming in. And we are looking to add another three players in this window," said Dalman.

"I can't speak for Brian [Barry-Murphy, head coach], but I think he wanted to have a really good look at what he's got before he made any decisions. I think he has a pretty good idea of what he wants.

"He is really excited by what he's got here already. Genuinely excited about it."

Asked how close those signings were to being completed, Dalman added: "One is very close, but we have a problem in getting it over the line, which can be solved.

"So we want to buy a goalkeeper and one other, then the other two will probably be loans.

"We don't really need that many new players. I think the squad is pretty good."

Following their relegation from the Championship last season, Cardiff started life in League One - and Barry-Murphy's tenure - with a 2-1 win over Peterborough United on Saturday.

Speaking after the game, the new head coach said he hoped to have a signing completed before Thursday's trip to Port Vale.

"Well, I said that definitely before this [Peterborough] game, so I was held to certain things about the previous press conference," he said.

"I'm just a little bit nervous about saying definitely before Thursday... but I would say definitely before Thursday."

Cardiff have seen 11 senior players leave this summer but have managed to hold on to first-teamers such as Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson.

Asked about their prospects of holding on to the attacking duo, Dalman simply said: "They're not going anywhere."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

New head coach Brian Barry-Murphy praised Cardiff City's young players as they helped him win his first game in charge against Peterborough United.

Relegated from the Championship last season, the Bluebirds started life in League One with a 2-1 victory at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

Barry-Murphy picked the youngest Cardiff team for a league fixture this century, handing first starts to the likes of goalkeeper Matt Turner – chosen in front of senior players Jak Alnwick and Ethan Horvath – and midfielder Joel Colwill.

Both goals were scored by academy graduates, Rubin Colwill and Ronan Kpakio.

"To have some of the academy graduates is really beneficial because they feel the club in a way that's different from what I do, based on where I come from, so it's really powerful," said Barry-Murphy.

"Matt Turner wasn't complicated [as a selection]. I had an idea of certain players before I came to the club. I didn't know a lot about Matt but, since day one pre-season, he's been exceptional.

"His attitude, in terms of what we asked him to do, his commitment and his skill level as a goalkeeper has been outstanding. Just based on what I saw, he was the clear pick.

"Joel, we have a lot of competition in that position, but again, his appetite to do the things we've asked him to do and his relentless nature of application was evident."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Having fallen behind against the run of play, Cardiff responded well in the second half as Rubin Colwill – captaining the club for the first time – scored a brilliant free-kick.

Kpakio, an 18-year-old right-back, then curled in a fine first-time effort to put Cardiff in front.

"It was a great goal. His talent is obvious," said Barry-Murphy.

"I think where he ended up on the pitch for the goal [inside the penalty area] is important for me.

"He's a really attacking full-back who can be really dynamic and can cause the opposition a lot of problems.

"So to see him arrive in that position in the second half was what I wanted to see. He has that quality to produce assists and goals."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City have a new number 10, with Rubin Colwill taking the jersey vacated by Aaron Ramsey for the 2025-26 season.

Colwill, 23, was named Cardiff's new vice-captain on Friday and will lead the team in their League One opener against Peterborough United on Saturday because new skipper Calum Chambers is suspended.

And the Wales international will take to the field wearing 10, having previously worn 27.

That number has now been passed to his younger brother, midfielderJoel Colwill.

Cardiff announced their squad numbers on Friday, with the majority of players keeping the same numbers they had from last season.

Numbers four, eight and nine are among the notable vacancies following a summer clearout which has has seen 11 senior players leave the club.

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Sport Wales asked Cardiff fans for their predictions and expectations ahead of the club's first campaign at League One level in 22 years. Here are their thoughts:

Ollie:

So far we have failed to sign a single player, and the opening day of the new season is only a few days away. I'm really more than a little concerned. I sincerely hope that BBM (Brian Barry-Murphy) is able to get off to a good start, and from looking at our pre-season performances there appears to be an exciting partnership developing between Callum Robinson and Yousef Salech. Fingers crossed we are able to get at least 3-4 new faces through the door.

Tarren:

If we do not win the league then it's a failed season

Simon:

Mid-table at best. I think it could be a lot worse if (Vincent) Tan stays.. wouldn't be a shock to go straight through to League Two

Kelvin:

I think BBM is an excellent fit for bringing through young talent from the U21s, and with several new signings capable of playing his preferred style of play I see no reason why Cardiff will not finish in the top six, possibly top two.

Kevin:

I am a City fan for 54 yrs. My opinion on Barry Murphy is an open one, tbh. Too many false dawns in the past has made me negative. A (Gareth) Bale consortium buying the club I'm 100 per cent behind. (Vincent) Tan doesn't even come to games, his communication is non-existent and fans will still support the club after he's gone. The sooner, the better he sells up.

Julie:

Would love new owners at Cardiff City. Be great if Gareth Bale was involved somehow.

David:

Until there are football-savvy board members, nothing much will change. A club cannot survive on money alone.

Lyndon:

It's a new era under BBM. I feel that he should be a good fit for City. Looks like he wants to play attractive, attacking football, and this can only be a good thing, especially after all the poor performances during the last three seasons. No new signings but reliance on youth seems to be his way forward.

Alun:

There were times last year when we played excellent football without an end product. With the core of the team staying and Salech and Robinson fit, I would expect to make the play-offs as a minimum. Like the majority of Bluebirds fans, we will all believe we are good enough to go straight back up.

Marc:

We desperately need some quality wingers, but there won't be any high-fee signings if Tan is going to sell. We won't be able to get good enough signings to go back up in the automatic spots, and always have bad luck in play-offs so I think we'll finish fourth and lose in the play-off final.

Richard:

Last year's squad underperformed so with a decent coach should be more than capable of pushing to return to the Championship immediately. I hope I don't have to eat my words. Good luck anyway.

Rich:

It is high time for a new owner and structure. There have been highs under Mr Tan, including two promotions and the financing we don't hear too much about. However, there are a number of lows including the loss of identity, heritage and culture and disengagement with supporters. Gareth Bale is an exciting prospect indeed!