" Cameron Jerome nearly returned to Cardiff City "

'I wanted to go' - Ex-Norwich, Stoke and Birmingham striker reveals disappointment after failed Cardiff City move in January

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The Bluebirds were in the market for another forward when Robert Glatzel was lined up for a move to Mainz, but failed in their bid to bring one in


By Glen Williams

Thursday 25th February




Former Cardiff City striker Cameron Jerome has revealed his disappointment after a move to return to the Bluebirds broke down in January.

The striker began his career in the Welsh capital and shot to prominence when he scored 24 goals in 76 appearances as a Championship tyro.

He earned a move to Birmingham City in 2006 in a deal worth up to £4million and went on to have success at St Andrew's, as well as Stoke City, Crystal Palace and Norwich City.

He now finds himself at League One outfit MK Dons, where he is in fine form, having netted 10 goals in 24 appearances this term, and has caught the eye of some Championship clubs.

One of those was his former club Cardiff, who, the 34-year-old revealed, made a bid for him last month after Mick McCarthy had arrived.

However, the move broke down because manager Russell Martin told him they were unable to find a replacement.

"I had one or two teams in higher up divisions (contact me)", he told the EFL Podcast. "I was waiting for those things to materialise, if they were going to, I wasn't quite sure.

"Russ said 'come and play until January' and that was the conversation. If something happened then we had a clause in the contract that would have seen me be able to go.

"It got to the later stages of the window where something did happen but I think it was too late for the club to find a replacement. It was disheartening for me because it was somewhere I wanted to go. It was Cardiff.

"I started my career there and it was somewhere I wanted to go and it would have been really nice to go back there and finish what I started. That would have been the icing on the cake in terms of my career.

"I said to Russ that from our perspective nothing changes. It's not my first rodeo and I'm not going to throw my toys out of the pram and be someone I'm not. I crack on and see it through to the end of the season. Then we'll sit down and have a conversation and see where we go.

"I had no ill-feeling towards the gaffer. It's football. I've been in the business long enough to know these things happen."

As it happened, Cardiff never replaced Glatzel, either, and have to rely on rookies Max Watters and Mark Harris to act as back-up to Kieffer Moore.

Someone of Jerome's pedigree at this level might well have bolstered the striker stable, however City, at least at the minute, appear to be coping fairly well despite the dearth of experience behind Moore at McCarthy's disposal.

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Would have been a half decent back-up for the run-in.

He looks like he still knows where the goals are.

Would have been a good signing

It's a shame that didn't come off.

Would have given Mick an option of an experienced player to bring on for the last 15 to 20 minutes of a game and give Keiffer a break from playing every minute of every game.

Also I wouldn't have been so worried about Keiffer picking up an injury as I am now as Jerome would have been a far better option than Harris or from the admittedly small amount I've seen from him, Watters.

Short term deal to the end of the season would have been ideal.

Never mind.

Why did the move go wrong ?? Did he want a long contract or too much money in wages ??

Why did the move go wrong ?? Did he want a long contract or too much money in wages ??

MK Dons couldn’t find a replacement in time so wouldn’t let him leave

While I am generally against signing 34 year olds, I think after Glatzel left Jerome would have been a very astute signing. Obviously if we had a youngster who plays as a number 9 then that would be better but sadly we don't have a youngster to fill that role.

We all see the shift that Moore puts in and I am sure if Jerome had been here we would have been able to rest Moore a bit more without losing our shape or jeopardising results.

Shame it didn't come off.

I wonder if we'll go back in for him in the summer

Pity we didn’t get him. Yes he left when his head got turned whilst on the England U23 set up and he was booed when he returned for Bham and then scored against us often, but I’d have been pleased to see him return.

Off the bench he’s a better option than Harris and Watters.

As it is we just hope Moore keeps fit and in form

Not for me; although nothing against him and he has been a decent player...

We need to be looking at the younger generation right now and we have some decent players not too far away from a first team opportunity

Had a habit of scoring against us, but agree Chris, the way forward now is the younger players,on both counts , we need to become as self sufficient as possible if not promoted, we also will have to sell a gem or two along the way, to provide funds for recruitment (again not if promoted)

Wouldn't have argued at the same sort of deal as Williams, wages only till end of season, but with no real effort being made to keep him on, as 35 is old ( even for us!) Buy would have been a good sub for half hour or so, just to rest poor old Moore, who at the pace he is going, will run himself into the ground.but in the big picture definitely a no.

Had a habit of scoring against us, but agree Chris, the way forward now is the younger players,on both counts , we need to become as self sufficient as possible if not promoted, we also will have to sell a gem or two along the way, to provide funds for recruitment (again not if promoted)

Wouldn't have argued at the same sort of deal as Williams, wages only till end of season, but with no real effort being made to keep him on, as 35 is old ( even for us!) Buy would have been a good sub for half hour or so, just to rest poor old Moore, who at the pace he is going, will run himself into the ground.but in the big picture definitely a no.

Agree and I know he followed the Bluebirds (even turned up at some games) after he left and he may have done a job for the remainder of this season; but he is not our future