Junior Hoilett And Sol Bamba Sign For Bluebirds And Neil Warnock Says It’s Only The Start

Neil Warnock has made his first two signings as Cardiff City manager by taking unwanted former QPR winger Junior Hoilett and ex-Leeds defender Sol Bamba.

Warnock could now dig deeper into the pool of unattached players by agreeing deals with striker Marouane Chamakh and defender Kieran Richardson.

Chamakh, 32, who was last with Crystal Palace has had a medical at the club, although Warnock has admitted they are still negotiating over contract terms.

Ivory Coast international Bamba, 31, was released by Leeds in September, despite being club captain, following a falling out with manager Garry Monk.

Former England full-back Richardson, 31, left Aston Villa last season and is another player Warnock is keen to bring to the Bluebirds as he tries to steer them away from the Championship relegation zone.

Warnock has made a speciality of picking up players who have been left on the rejects pile, particularly those he has worked with at previous clubs.

Hoilett, by far the youngest of the targets at 26, will link up with Warnock, who was appointed as Bluebirds boss last week following the departure of Paul Trollope, for a second time after their stint together at QPR.

The Canadian international was offered a new deal by Rangers in the summer but rejected it in the hope a Premier League club might make a move. None did.

Hoilett told Cardiff’s official website: “I’m really pleased to be here and I’m ready to go.

“The manager puts belief in his players and this is a great group of lads. Everyone loves playing for the gaffer.

“I’m here to hopefully bring some more creativity and goals. I can’t wait to get started.”

Warnock added: “Junior did well for me at QPR and by the time I left there he was one of the club’s most important players.

“I’m delighted to have him here with us at Cardiff City and I know that he’ll respond to the fans and me.

“What’s more, he’s a player who will help bring the best out of those around him.”

Warnock insists he is confident both Chamakh will eventually agree a deal, although it may only be short term until January.

He added: “We’ve had a chat with another player as well so I wouldn’t write off another two or three players joining us. We have to balance the books but Mehmet (Dalman) and the board have been very supportive.

“I’m looking forward to working with what I’ve got, with a little help from Mehmet and the board to supplement what we’ve got and (with Bamba and Chamakh), I’m only talking about one of them until January.

“But I’m very hopeful we can bring them both in.”

 

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