Thu Jul 03, 2025 12:05 pm
Three new Bluebirds have joined our U21s side ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The Club would like to welcome defenders Charlie O’Brien and Gabriel Keita, as well as midfielder Matthew Apter to the Welsh capital.
Winger Isaac Jefferies, who made his First Team debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton last season, has signed a new contract.
Commenting on our new recruits, Academy Manager Gavin Chesterfield said: "For Charlie, this is his first opportunity at full-time football, but all the metrics are there that he can have a successful career. He's a right-back that is comfortable doing both sides of the game, supporting the play going forward and embracing the challenge of 1v1 defending.
“Gabriel is a very focused centre-back that loves defending. He'll add physicality, he has a bit of experience under his belt already, had a very good education at Norwich City and will add something different to our environment.
"Matty has impressed us with his all-action style of play. He's a Cardiff City style of midfielder in that he loves to cover ground, but he also has the ability to create moments. We're really excited to see what he can bring."
O’Brien, who most recently featured for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, said: “I’m delighted to be here and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that the Club has given me. Hopefully, I can repay that back to them now.
“I’m a hard-working player who likes to get on the ball, but mainly, I love to defend, I’m very physical and up for a battle. My aim is to work as hard as I can in training to hopefully get an opportunity.”
Apter, who joins the Bluebirds from Everton, added: “I’m buzzing to sign for a big club like Cardiff City and I can’t wait to get started. My first impressions are unbelievable; the place is brilliant.
“I can’t wait to get to know the lads and work with them."
Keita most recently had a spell at Norwich City. Upon signing for the Bluebirds, he said: "It feels amazing to sign here. Cardiff City is a club with a lot of history and I'm very excited to start my journey here. I'm very grateful for the opportunity.
"I would say that I'm a ball-playing centre-back that loves tackling and defending. I'm a very dominant leader, so I'll hopefully bring a lot to the team."
Jefferies joined the Bluebirds at the age of eight and had an impressive season for our U21s in 2024/25, notably reaching the Semi-Finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Having extended his stay at City, Isaac said: "I'm delighted, it's my boyhood club and to get a new deal is a great achievement for me and my family.
"Towards the end of last season, you've always got it in the back of your mind. It was about proving myself and to be able to stay here, it means a lot to me. This season, I'll be doing everything I can on the pitch and working hard."