Tonight's Cardiff City news as trio return and midfielder has 'chills' after sealing transfer

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, July 4.

Trio return for pre-season

Cardiff City are nearly back to their full complement of players in pre-season after Manolis Siopis became the latest player to travel back for duty.

Yesterday, Callum O'Dowda and Andy Rinomhota took part in their first sessions of their post-season exploits with the Republic of Ireland and Zimbabwe respectively.

And now Siopis, who was the third-most-used player for Erol Bulut last season, behind Dimitrios Goutas and Ryan Wintle, today made his way back from Greece following his efforts with the national team during the summer. He did not train today, however.

It means Ethan Horvath, whose USA side were knocked out of the Copa America on home soil this week after disappointing losses to Panama and Uruguay, is the only player left to link up with the squad. Ryotaro Tsunoda is still undergoing rehabilitation following surgery on his hamstring injury.

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Midfielder has 'chills' after signing

New signing Adeteye Gbadehan said he had "chills" walking around Cardiff City Stadium as he revealed his delight at finally sealing a deal with the Bluebirds.

The midfielder had a positive trial earlier this year but a deal never got over the line. But he has become one of four new signings for Darren Purse's under-21s today and is raring to go.

"I'm very pleased to be joining Cardiff City," he said. "The coaches and all the staff have all been very helpful, I'm very happy to get started and get to work. Having been to the stadium, you get chills just walking around. I'm hoping I can play at Cardiff City Stadium very soon and get out there."

Republic of Ireland youth international Luke Pearce, formerly of Southampton, is keen to ignite his senior career, after the 20-year-old dominated for the Saints' youth sides but had mixed fortunes out on loan in non-league. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

"I'm really pleased," Pearce said. "It's a massive club and it's great opportunity for me to kick on and progress my career. I'm really excited to join the club.

"It's a place that is definitely on the up, so for me personally, I feel like it's a good place for me to push on now. I've met the lads and they're a good bunch. I definitely feel like I'm going to fit in and that I can do well here."

Attacking midfielder Michael Reindorf, formerly of Norwich City, and goalkeeper Ewan Griffiths, formerly of Swansea, are the other two young players who have signed with City today, with the latter revealing his pride owing to his entire family being Bluebirds supporters.

12 academy lads sign pro deals

A dozen academy players have signed professional deals with the club.

Cody Twose, Joe Thomas, Luey Giles, Troy Perrett, Trey George, Ronan Kpakio, Cole Fleming, Luke Armstrong, Dakarai Mafico, Josh Beecher, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Will Spiers will stay with the Bluebirds and move up to the under-21s next season.

A number of the above even broke through into the first team under Bulut last year. Giles put in a few top displays at left-back towards the end of the campaign, while Beecher made his debut for the club in the Carabao Cup tie at Blackburn Rovers.

After making an impression for the youth sides, midfielder Dakarai Mafico was included on the first-team bench on the final day of the season against Rotherham United.

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Under-21s boss Darren Purse said: "It's a proud day for everyone involved. We make a huge effort on the day that the players sign their contracts to make it a big experience for them. Some of them have been at the club since a young age; the hours that they and their families have had to put in, it's an immensely important day for the player and their families, but also the club as a whole.

"The number of scholars we're taking on this year is testament to the work that has been done throughout the whole academy. It gives us a great base to progress those boys into the first team."

Academy manager Gavin Chesterfield added: “It's exciting to see these players continue their journey at Cardiff City, some of whom started at six years of age. Congratulations to them and their families.

“All these players have bought into our plans for their continued development, but right now, it's about remaining grounded and working hard. All have earned their shot at professional football and know the challenge that lies ahead, as they progress up to the Vale.”