[themaclad]

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

[themaclad]

Cardiff City have signed goalkeeper Nathan Trott on a season-long loan from Danish side Copenhagen, with an option to make the move permanent.

The 26-year-old becomes head coach Brian Barry-Murphy's first signing since arriving at the League One club.

A former England Under-20 international, Trott played 17 times for Copenhagen last year after moving from West Ham United.

But he has returned to the EFL with the Bluebirds after making his senior debut on loan at AFC Wimbledon in 2019.

Barry-Murphy, who replaced Omer Riza as Cardiff boss this summer, said: "We want to recruit absolute quality in every area of the pitch and players that can play the way we see the club playing as we move forward and Nathan embodies all of that.

"I've known and watched Nathan play for a long time. I actually managed against him while he was on loan at Wimbledon.

"He fits the mould of the player we want to attract to the club. He is still very young, he has a high level of skill and also has real room for growth and improvement to take his game to another level and that's the challenge we'll put to him.

"We'll also be looking to him to use his experience to provide leadership qualities to the squad."

Trott could be in line for his debut when Cardiff take on Port Vale on Thursday.

"It's a great move for me," said Trott.

"I've spoken with Brian on the direction he wants the club to go in. It's something I want to be a part of. I'm no stranger to new environments and learning new things and see this as a strength in myself.

"This is a huge moment for me in my career. I'm happy to be here."

Trott, who was born in Bermuda and has also had spells on loan in France with Nancy, will compete with Jak Alnwick, Ethan Horvath and youngster Matt Turner for the first-choice role.

Turner started the Bluebirds opening day win over Peterborough.

[themaclad]

Dylan Lawlor has signed a new three-year contract to remain with Cardiff City until the summer of 2028.

The centre-back - who joined the Bluebirds' academy at the age of seven - has been a pivotal figure under Brian Barry-Murphy so far this season, featuring in all five of his side's League One matches.

"I'm buzzing to sign a new contract and really pleased to get it over the line," said the 19-year-old.

"It's been a learning experience so far this season. I feel like I'm growing with each game and hopefully I can carry that on throughout the campaign.

"I can take a lot confidence from that. I've grown with every game. We take massive pride from the clean sheets we've had this season and we've got to keep that going now."

Lawlor made his senior debut in Cardiff's FA Cup contest with Aston Villa in February 2025 and was handed his league bow by Barry-Murphy in the club's 2025-26 league opener against Peterborough United in early August.

And the youngster says the arrival of Barry-Murphy from Manchester City's youth set-up has given Cardiff a huge lift.

"It [the playing style] suits me massively. I was buzzing when he got appointed with his Manchester City background and I think that's transferred onto the pitch with him showing a lot of trust in me. Hopefully we can keep that going," added Wales U21 international Lawlor.

"It's a very exciting time and inspiring for the academy. On the first day against Peterborough United, we had nine academy graduates in the squad, so it's a great time to be a young player at the club."

[themaclad]

Cardiff City have signed defender Gabriel Osho from French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.

The 27-year-old former Luton Town centre-back is only the second signing of the summer for League One leaders Cardiff.

Osho was part of the Luton side that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2022-23 and then scored twice in 21 top-flight appearances before leaving for France in July 2024.

During his time at Kenilworth Road he also had a loan spell at Rochdale, where he worked with Brian Barry-Murphy and says the recently appointed Cardiff manager was a major factor in his switch to south Wales.

"It's been a long time in the works, so to finally be here at the stadium and in the city has been good. I'm buzzing to get going," Osho told the club website.

"Brian played a big part. It's always important when the player has a good relationship with the manager. I had a really good time at Rochdale, and the connection I built with Brian and the staff there was pretty amazing."

Osho made 20 appearances for Auxerre in France's top-flight last season, scoring one goal and receiving one red card.

He started both Ligue 1 games this season for the French club against Lorient and Nice.

Osho began his career at home-town club Reading, where he had several loan spells including at Bristol Rovers and Yeovil Town. He also has two international caps for Nigeria.

Cardiff's only other signing since the appointment of Barry-Murphy in June was Copenhagen goalkeeper Nathan Trott on loan.

The Bluebirds have also seen 11 senior players depart since their relegation from the Championship last season.

[themaclad]

Cardiff City defender Jesper Daland has joined German club Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The 25-year-old joined the Bluebirds from Cercle Brugge on a four-year deal in the summer of 2024, when Erol Bulut was in charge of the Welsh club.

But having made 23 Cardiff appearances - including only one this season - Daland will have a spell in Germany's second-tier Bundesliga 2, while Cardiff negotiate life in English football's third tier.

Norwegian Daland spent three years in Belgian football before his move to Cardiff.

[themaclad]

Academy graduates Ronan Kpakio and Isaak Davies have both signed new four-year contracts with Cardiff City.

Right-back Kpakio, 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Bluebirds, who are fourth in League One having lost only one game so far.

His form was rewarded with a first senior Wales cap during the friendly defeat against Canada earlier this month.

"I'm delighted to get this done. I had to show in pre-season that I was capable of getting a spot in this team," Kpakio told the club website.

"There is a young group of players in our team from the academy and that is an exciting thing, for us to be trusted by the first-team management. Brian [Barry-Murphy, head coach] really believes in us. I feel I can be confident on and off the ball. It's what you dream of.

"As a young player, I take bits off everyone. I take every piece of advice I can get. I know I need to keep working hard, stay grounded and stay humble."


Wales Under-21 international Davies has made more than 50 appearances for Cardiff since his debut in 2021.

He spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Belgian club Kortrijk and returned to the Welsh capital last season, but injuries limited him to 10 appearances.

Back fit this season, Davies has three goals from 11 appearances in all competitions.

"I'm buzzing to get it done. Cardiff City is home to me," he told the club website.

"It's been a big part of my life. The whole buzz around the club at the moment is so good and it is unbelievable to be a part of. It's a really great place to be.

"I'm looking forward to the future now."