Cardiff City

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Cardiff City defenders Joel Bagan and Dylan Lawlor have been named in BBC Sport's League One team of the season.

Both players are graduates of the Bluebirds academy and played a key role as Brian Barry-Murphy's side secured an instant return to the Championship.

Bagan, 24, scored once in 52 games in all competitions during the season and recently signed a new four-year contract with Cardiff.

Lawlor, 20, made over 30 league appearances in his breakthrough season for the club and has also established himself in Craig Bellamy's senior Wales team.

The two players were recognised in BBC Sport's first end-of-season football awards.

Voted for by our expert pundits, dedicated team of journalists, and specialist football programme makers, these awards celebrate the players who starred in the Premier League, Women's Super League, Scottish Premiership and EFL in 2025-26.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Cardiff City will begin preparations for their return to the Championship with a pre-season friendly against FC Midtjylland before a training camp in Cork, home city of boss Brian Barry-Murphy.

The Bluebirds will host Danish side Midtjylland in their opening pre-season fixture at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 11 July (12:30 BST).

They will then head out to the Republic of Ireland for a week, with another friendly due to be arranged for Tuesday, 14 July.

Midtjylland, who sent Sory Kaba on a successful loan to Cardiff in 2022-23, are four-time Danish champions.

They finished second in the 2025-26 season and won the Danish Cup.

They also reached the last 16 of the Europa League, where they were beaten in a penalty shootout (pictured above) by Nottingham Forest.

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Cardiff City have released their retained list ahead of their return to the Championship – with a string of new deals offered to the club's next crop of young talent.

The Bluebirds secured promotion back to the second tier with manager Brian Barry-Murphy utilising a number of academy graduates as they finished runners-up in League One.

They included Joel Bagan, the left-back joining fellow defender Perry Ng in agreeing a new deal with their previous contracts set to expire.

And the club have also offered new terms to four of the club's Under-21 squad, including young goalkeepers Jake Dennis and Ewan Griffiths, attacking midfielder Trey George and Wales Under-21 cap Troy Perrett.

Noah Williams (pictured) – the 18-year-old defender who made his league debut in the season-ending defeat at Mansfield Town – has also been offered a pro deal, along with Danny Higgs, Riley Hilaire-Clarke and T-Jay Parfitt.

Ryan Wintle's departure at the end of his contract is confirmed, the midfielder admitting the decision was "out of his control" with the club having not offered him a new deal.

Striker Michael Reindorf – who spent time on loan at Newport County last year – departs, as does Will Spiers who saw out the season on loan at Merthyr Town.

Former Manchester United youngster Jack Kingdon leaves after senior appearances in the EFL Trophy, as does former Wales Under-19 defender Josh Beecher and 21-year-old striker Morgan Wigley.

Among the contracted players for the 26-27 season are forward Roko Smic and centre-back Jesper Daland who spent last season on loan at German second division clubs Karlsruher and Fortuna Dusseldorf, the latter suffering relegation to the third tier.

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Brian Barry-Murphy will be "massively sought after" on the back of guiding Cardiff City to promotion from League One into the Championship, according to former England defender Conor Coady.

Barry-Murphy led the Bluebirds to a second-place finish in the third tier as the club secured an immediate return to the Championship following relegation a year ago.

Having worked under Barry-Murphy at Leicester City, current Wrexham centre-back Coady says the Irish boss will likely attract interest in the future given his stunning debut campaign in the Welsh capital.

"It's nothing against Cardiff, they're a big side," Coady told The Overlap's Fan Debate.

"I think he'll be massively sought after in terms of what he's going to do going forward.

"I think there's loads of clubs who would benefit from bringing him in, because I think he's that much of a good coach."

The Bluebirds won 27 of their 46 League One matches last term as they ended the 2025-26 season with 91 points.

Former Manchester City youth coach Barry-Murphy has been instrumental in the development of numerous Cardiff young guns such as Dylan Lawlor, Isaak Davies, Ronan Kpakio and Joel Colwill since taking charge at Cardiff City Stadium.

And Coady - who described Barry-Murphy as "unbelievable" - feels the 47-year-old is the perfect fit to develop Cardiff's academy players.

"He is one of the most unbelievable coaches I've ever had in my whole career in terms of his detail and how he sets up his sessions. His sessions were top," Coady said.

"I think if that was their plan, to really promote the young lads, they could not have got a better fella than Bri at the helm to do that. He's got a way with people.

"In terms of coaching younger players, I don't think there's many better than him."

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has been nominated for the League One manager of the month award for April.

Barry-Murphy's Bluebirds secured automatic promotion last month, with his side second behind champions Lincoln City.

Cardiff were undefeated throughout April and sealed their return to the Championship after 12 months away with a 3-1 win at Reading.

Also nominated are Lincoln's Michael Skubala, Jack Wilshere of Luton Town and Blackpool's Ian Evatt.

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Jay Bothroyd says old club Cardiff City must aim for the Premier League following their rapid return to the Championship.

The Bluebirds will be back in the second tier next season having bounced back from relegation in 2024-25 by winning automatic promotion from League One.

Former striker Bothroyd reckons Cardiff are playing "a great brand of football" under Brian Barry-Murphy – and says relegation 12 months ago has turned out to be a blessing.

"Seeing Cardiff go down to League One was devastating for me but I look at it now as probably a good thing because they had time to rebuild - new management, new players," Bothroyd told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Now they are back in the Championship and they have to push on because Cardiff are a big club.

"They can't be down at the bottom of the league. They have to be competing each season, whether it's for the play-offs to get into the Premier League or for automatic promotion. That's where Cardiff need to be."

Cardiff's promotion means there will be six Welsh derbies in the Championship next season, as they compete with Swansea City and Wrexham.

Bothroyd, who played for the Bluebirds between 2008 and 2011, says he will "definitely be down there supporting the boys" when Barry-Murphy's side take on arch-rivals Swansea.

"They were the best times, playing in the derbies against Swansea. It was just massive," said the former striker, who won his only England cap while with Cardiff.

"Turning up at Swansea's stadium, the atmosphere in the crowd, it was unbelievable."

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Cardiff City have confirmed that goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward will depart the club this summer, bringing an end to his two-year spell in south Wales.

A former Bluebird, Ward made 59 appearances for Cardiff between 1989 and 1993 before moving on to Leicester City.

During his four-year playing spell, he helped the Welsh club secure the Division Three title and the Welsh Cup during the 1992/93 season.

Since his retirement in 2011, Ward built a wealth of coaching experience with positions at Shrewsbury Town, Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers before returning to Cardiff in September 2024.

Following the club's relegation to League One last season, Ward's future initially appeared uncertain having joined as interim goalkeeping coach under former boss Omer Riza.

However, the appointment of Barry-Murphy proved pivotal, with Ward remaining part of the backroom staff as Cardiff mounted an immediate promotion challenge.

The Bluebirds duly secured a return to the Championship at the first attempt, underpinned by a strong defensive record that included 17 clean sheets.

Much of that success came with Nathan Trott between the posts, though the goalkeeper's future remains unresolved following the end of his loan spell. But Cardiff remain hopeful of turning the move into a permanent deal.

As the club now looks ahead to building on a successful campaign, Ward will step away from his role, closing another chapter in his long association with Cardiff City.

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Cardiff City left-back Joel Bagan has earned a first call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

The 24-year-old made eight appearances for the country's Under-21s between 2021 and 2022.

Bagan is one of seven players included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time for May's friendly against Grenada.

He has impressed for Cardiff this season, missing only one League One game out of 46 as they won promotion to make an instant return to the Championship.

Bagan's performances earned him a place in the League One team of the season.

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Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City's final day contest with Mansfield Town was an opportunity for fans to celebrate his side's "magical season".

Having already secured promotion to the Championship, the Bluebirds signed off their 2025-26 campaign with a 5-4 loss to Nigel Clough's side.

But while disappointed with aspects of his side's loss at Mansfield - particularly the first half display which saw them trail 3-0 at the break - Barry-Murphy insisted defeat by the Stags would not detract from what has been a memorable campaign for his side.

"I wouldn't let it take away from what the players have done this season," said the Cardiff head coach.

"You saw the support we had today, it was incredible. It's been a magical season for us.

"Today was about celebrating our club, our supporters being present and trying to give them one last sign of what we can do. Hopefully the next step is around the corner."

Barry-Murphy spent time posing for photographs and talking with fans in the aftermath of the contest with Mansfield.

"Firstly, what they've done for us, the support we've had at every away ground has been incredible," he added.

"The amount of time it takes for them, and the expense, it's not lost on us.

"One of the things we spoke about at half time, we had a strong obligation to make them feel they can be proud of us in the second half, and we did that.

"So, always, we feel as if we have to play for them and make sure we do them proud every week."

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We asked Cardiff City fans who they would like the club to sign as the Bluebirds prepare for life back in the Championship, with boss Brian Barry-Murphy saying they will be looking for quality rather than quantity in the transfer market.

Here are some of the responses:

Adrian: It's great the youngsters coming through. But in the Championship they need some players with experience. Short at left and right-back and need a couple of strikers. Let Callum Robinson go as he could hardly get a game in League One. Also let Callum Chambers go, he is past his best.

Andrew: Sort who our number one goalkeeper is. Whether Nathan Trott or another. Central defence cover as well as central midfield. More help up front for Yousef Salech and Robinson.

Paul: City need to stick to all the youngsters we have, this season has been the most enjoyable for many years because of our style of play and the fact that we have an almost entirely UK squad. We know the player's backstories and it is great to see who progresses. Next season is not about whether we are fighting at the top or bottom, it is about a club with a heart and a connection with the fans.

Russell: In my opinion we need a winger to supply Salach, the ones we have - apart from Cian Ashford - are like vampires... don't like crosses. Also we need someone who can chip in with 10 or 15 goals. A creative midfielder would be good to push us forward rather than tippy-tappy around the opposition's box.

David: I agree with Iwan [Roberts]. The Championship is tough with many quality teams and whilst we have a great bunch of young talent, we will need more experienced players who are proven in this league. I am also sure our manager will rise to the challenge too and create a squad good enough for play-offs. Can't wait!

Andrew: Lorent Tolaj from Plymouth, Jaden Wareham from Exeter and Reading's Lewis Wing.

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Defender Lisa Owen will end her 12-year stint with Cardiff City Women when her contact expires this summer.

The 28-year-old has helped the Bluebirds win three Adran Premier titles, the Adran Trophy, six Bute Energy Welsh Cups, as well as reaching the Women's Champions League three times.

Scoring on her return in December 2022 after giving birth was among Owen's Cardiff highlights.

The club thanked Owen for her "huge contribution to our success".

Owen told Cardiff City TV: "It's been amazing. I've loved every minute of it and it's been a huge journey. There was a time where you could look at the games in this league and you could predict who would win, you would know who would be in the top four every year. It wasn't as competitive as it is now; the Adran Premier is so different.

"Teams are always taking points off each other and every game is difficult. This year has been the most competitive it's ever been and it's great to see that."

She added: "There's been so many memories. Coming back after having a baby and scoring that goal on my return, that was so special. Scoring at Cardiff City Stadium was another big moment for me. The team have been there for me the whole time and they've seen me grow both as a player and as a person.

"From the bottom of my heart, I'm so grateful for our support. Those that come to our games, home and away, and all the players' families, the backing that they've given me and my team-mates has been second to none and I can't thank them enough."

Image source, BBC Sport

Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City will be looking for quality rather than quantity in the transfer market as they prepare for a return to the Championship.

The Bluebirds are working on a deal to sign goalkeeper Nathan Trott on a permanent basis, but where do they need to strengthen having secured promotion from League One?

BBC Sport Wales pundit Iwan Roberts reckons Cardiff should take a leaf out of Wrexham's book by trying to sign players with Championship know-how this summer.

Do you think experienced players are required? Or can Cardiff's youngsters deliver in the second tier having thrived this season?

Which players would you like to see Cardiff recruit this summer?

Let us know your views by clicking here.