Cardiff City signing John Brayford set for debut at Cheltenham Town.
Right-back Brayford goes straight into Malky Mackay’s squad for the second pre-season match and won’t have any issues with match fitness.
John Brayford, Cardiff City’s new £1.3m defender, is set to make his debut at Cheltenham this afternoon.
Right-back Brayford goes straight into Malky Mackay’s squad for the second pre-season match and won’t have any issues with match fitness.
He is ahead of the rest because Brayford had already played in four pre-season fixtures for Derby before his transfer to Cardiff for a fee which could rise to £2m.
Derby manager Nigel Clough tried hard to keep the defender, saying: “John is among the most consistent right-backs in Championship football and has the ability to succeed at Premier League level.”
Mackay has been tracking Brayford, 25, for months. Wigan made a £1m offer which was rejected, while West Ham showed strong interest, but Cardiff have finally got their man.
Brayford, a 6ft tall defender who can also play at centre-back, will go head-to-head with Kevin McNaughton for the right-back slot with Matthew Connolly becoming a contender for his preferred place in the middle of City’s back four.
The key factor in Brayford’s departure from Derby was that his contract was due to end next summer and Clough eventually reluctantly agreed to the deal.
Brayford had a medical in South Wales and signed a three-year contract.
His first club was Burton Albion when Clough was in charge and he moved on to Crewe, playing under Dario Gradi, before linking up with Clough again at Derby.
Brayford was voted Derby’s player of the year in his first season at Pride Park and was rated by many as their best player over 2012-13.
While Brayford prepares for his debut, goalkeeper Simon Moore must wait a little more time before he is able to link up with Cardiff.
That deal will be completed over the weekend.
Teenager Joe Ralls could yet be handed his Premier League debut when City travel to West Ham next month.
Midfield player Ralls, 19, played at left-back for the Bluebirds in their 4-3 win at Conference club Forest Green Rovers this week.
And the England under-19 international could yet prove the answer to a defensive problem being faced by manager Malky Mackay.http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... rd-5373800