Two New Signings, Three Trialists For Bluebirds

Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock took time out to watch Cardiff City’s under-23 team in Professional Development League action.

Warnock and his staff assessed many trialists at development level this season and more were given their chance in a 1-1 draw against Millwall at Cardiff International Sports Campus.

Former trialists Ciaron Brown and Ogo Obi have now signed for City, while Warnock’s staff also checked out twins Paul and Jack McKay plus Jacob Evans.

Anthony Pilkington fired Cardiff in front after 58 minutes with a beautifully worked goal, but they conceded an equaliser two minutes later after a defensive error.

The players Warnock’s coaches have been looking at are:

Ciaron Brown. Centre-half or left-back, aged 20. A number of Championship clubs have been checking on the tall, combative Brown, who spent time at Sheffield Wednesday.

Cardiff City’s new signing Ciaron Brown in his Wealdstone FC kit. Pic: Aqueous Sun Photography.
Twitter: @aqueoussunphoto

Strong, effective and composed centre-half prepared to battle physically. Decent in possession.

Nothing has been announced, but I’m told Brown has completed his move from National League South Wealdstone to Cardiff City. He was previously with Bedfast Sports.

Ogo Obi. Striker, aged 20. Nigerian-born forward who has attracted interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, while he had a trial at Manchester United when Louis Van Gaal was manager.

Obi played for Watford, but was released at the end of last season and has been playing for Hemel Hempstead Town.

Highly talented and earned a nickname ‘The Nigerian Messi’ in his younger days, but needs the direction Warnock can provide.

A Bluebirds source revealed Obi has signed for City.

Jacob Evans. Central midfield player, aged 19. Former Swindon Town player where he made two Football League appearances last season. Had a loan spell with Waterford, while he has made 13 league appearances for Farnborough this season.

Looked a player who could pass – and quick to shoot when the chance is there.

Twins Paul and Jack McKay.

The sons of Scottish football agent Willie McKay.

Both are aged 21, 6ft 2ins tall and have played at the Doncaster Rovers Academy. Striker Jack was Academy player of the year, scoring an impressive 26 goals, while Paul is a centre-half.

They were born in Glasgow and have spent time with Leeds United, signed by then manager Steve Evans.

Both were released by Leeds just over a year ago.

Warnock sat alongside Cardiff coach Andy Dibble watching the development fixture play Millwall, who had former Bluebirds centre-forward Kevin Nugent as their team manager.

A number of first team squad players including goalkeeper Lee Camp, Liam Feeney, Omar Bogle and Anthony Pilkington were in the Cardiff team.

Camp had a mixed games, mixing good saves, accurate kicking and composure with moments of frailty. One of those led to Millwall’s equalising goal.

Centre-back Brown was the pick of the new boys, playing alongside trialist Paul McKay.

Full-back Cameron Coxe was defensively sound and made a couple of good runs, but Ciy’s 4-4-2 formation restricted his chances of going on the charge.

Evans, Obi and Jack McKay all went on from the subs bench.

Cardiff went ahead after 58 minutes when Camp’s accurate kick picked out Feeney, who beat a defender and cross for Pilkington to score.

Two minutes later Kris Twadek equalised after an error by Camp left the home team open.

There were patches of good football by Cardiff and they created chances without being able to take then.

Bogle missed the the best opportunity when he lifted a shot high over the bar.

Cardiff City: Lee Camp, Cameron Coxe, Rhys Abbruzzese, James Waite (capt), Ciaron Brown, Paul McKay, Liam Feeney, Mark Harris, Omar Bogle, Anthony Pilkington, Connor Young. Subs: Jacob Evans, George Ratcliffe (gk), Ogo Obi, Jack McKay.

Referee: Scott Jackson.

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