The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cardiff

  • Osaze ready for fresh start at Cardiff City

    Osaze ready for fresh start at Cardiff City

    Peter Odemwingie says he is ready for a fresh start in the Premier League, after the striker joined Cardiff City from West Bromwich Albion in a £2.25m deal.

    The Nigeria international, 32, has signed a three-year deal at the Cardiff City Stadium, after completing a medical on deadline day.

    “It’s a fresh start, a whole new beginning,” Odemwingie told BBC Sport.

    “I’ve joined a club with a strong determination to achieve their goals.”

    It brings to an end Odemwingie’s three-year association with the Baggies, having joined in 2010 from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow.

    He rejected late interest from both West Ham and Stoke City to join Cardiff.

    “I’d like to thank the West Brom fans and staff for everything. I’ll definitely take with me the positives and great memories,” Odemwingie added.

    “Cardiff City showed great intent to bring me here. I have to thank the manager and everyone involved in making this transfer happen.

    “There are talented and dedicated players in the team, everyone is moving in the right direction and I also want to make a strong contribution as well.”

    Odemwingie started his career in Nigeria with Bendel Insurance before switching to Belgian side La Louviere.

    Further stints at French club Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow followed before joining the Baggies for £2.5m in 2010.

    He made 100 appearances, scoring 31 goals for the Midlands club.

    Odemwingie failed in a bid to force a move to QPR last January and he has played a bit-part at West Brom since.

    The striker has not played for Baggies boss Steve Clarke so far this season and was out of contract at The Hawthorns at the end of the season.

    “I have a bright start ahead of me. There’s no point looking back or worry over something you can’t change. It’s all in my past,” he said.

    “It’s important to focus my energy on positive things. I can only wish everyone all the very best in life. “It’s been a year of learning, finding incredible joy with my young family and significantly a fresh beginning at Cardiff City.

    “There are expectations and I honestly can’t wait to get started.”

  • Stoke, Cardiff bid for Odemwingie

    Stoke, Cardiff bid for Odemwingie

    West Brom Albion has received offers of about £2 million from Stoke and Cardiff for Osaze Odemwingie with Swansea prepared to pay a little less.

    WBA has previously rejected bids of £1.5million for the 32-year-old, but these latest offers could pave the way for his exit, according to Birmingham Mail.

    Osaze has not played any part for Albion since his return to pre-season training, with the club making it clear there is no way back for him.

    The Nigeria international has been sidelined since his well-publicized fall-out with the club last season – which started with his failed move to Queens Park Rangers and continued with a series of Twitter meltdowns.

    Although ‘The Baggies’ are not prepared to let him go on the cheap, club officials are mindful that his age and contractual situation will drive his price down.

    MTNFootball.com reports that Osaze has less than 12 months left on his current contract with Albion.

     

  • Cardiff rekindle Osaze’s interest

    Cardiff rekindle Osaze’s interest

    Cardiff City are now rekindling their interest in West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie. The Nigeria international has had many offers from English clubs and Dubai side Al Nasr.

    Odemwingie’s proposed move to Al Nasr is reportedly off, with the club pulling out of the deal after growing frustrated with Albion’s reluctance to meet despite two bids being submitted for the striker.

    Nicolas Anelka and Matej Vydra have arrived at the Hawthorns, pushing Odemwingie further down the pecking order.

    Manager Malky Mackay wants two wingers and has already lined up a £3million deal for Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero from Morelia in Mexico.

    Albion are keen to offload 32-year-old Odemwingie and his wages as they continue negotiations with Manchester City for Scott Sinclair.

  • Cardiff set to sign Osaze

    Cardiff set to sign Osaze

    Sky sources understand that Cardiff City are interested in signing unsettled West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie.

    The Nigerian international has been training with the Baggies reserves this summer after attempting to force a move to QPR on the final day of the January transfer window.

    Fulham have been linked with a move for the 32-year-old, while Dubai club Al Nasr had an £850,000 bid rejected, and now Cardiff are reportedly poised to make an approach.

    The Bluebirds have twice broken their transfer record this summer with the signings of Andreas Cornelius and Steven Caulker, spending almost £20m.

    However, manager Malky Mackay says the Premier League newcomers are hopeful of further strengthening their squad before the end of the transfer window.

    “We still have three or four irons in the fire and we have until September 2nd (when the transfer window closes),” said Mackay.

    “We may well start the season still chasing targets but by the end of August I hope to have the squad together than can absolutely compete.”

  • Taiwo: Why I snubed Cardiff for Bursaspor

    Taiwo: Why I snubed Cardiff for Bursaspor

    NIGERIAN defender Taye Taiwo has declared that he also had interest from Cardiff City after finalising a move to Bursaspor from AC Milan.

    The 28-year-old decided to move on this summer after struggling to establish himself in the Milan side following his switch from Marseille two years ago.

    He spent time on loan with Queens Park Rangers in early 2012 and was at Dynamo Kiev last season, but he has now sealed a permanent transfer to Turkish club Bursaspor on a three-year deal.

    Taiwo admits that he did have other options, including the chance to return to the Premier League with newly-promoted Cardiff, but he has no regrets about his decision.

    He said: “I am delighted. I wanted to play in the Turkish league with a good team and I made a good choice.

    “Cardiff contacted my agent but I decided to come here.”