By Gareth James
New signing Ike Ugbo is convinced Cardiff City is the “perfect” place for him to reignite his career.
The 24-year-old striker, who started his career at Chelsea, joins on a season-long loan from French club Troyes having also enjoyed spells in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Ugbo played for England at youth level before switching international allegiance to Canada. He has eight international caps to date.
Ugbo told the Bluebirds’ website: “I’ve been waiting to come back to the English leagues for a while now and I’m really pleased that it’s finally over the line.
“I spoke to the manager (Erol Bulut) before coming here. He was telling me how I suit the club, what I can do to help the club and what the club can do to help me.
“I think our ambitions align together, so I think it was a perfect choice for me.”
Our first summer signing is here! ✅
Welcome to #CardiffCity, Iké Ugbo! 💙#CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) July 4, 2023
Bulut said: “Ike has shown what he can do over the last three years. When he was in Belgium he scored a lot of goals, and he did some very good things with Troyes as well.
“In one-v-one situations, he is really good in the box. His heading and finishing is also good. These are things that we need, because we know that last season the team did not score enough goals.”
Cardiff are also in the process of completing the signing of Greece international defender Dimitrios Goutas.
The Turkish Super League player, currently out of contract with Sivasspor, was among the crowd at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night for the pre-season 2-1 victory over The New Saints.
Erol Bulut confirms signing of Dimitrios Goutas. Flat-batted the Ramsey question tonight. Hopes more signings on the way in the next week https://t.co/cPiCjw9Vjl
— Glen Williams (@GlenWilliams12) July 4, 2023
Goutas, 29, is a 6ft 4in centre-back who Bulut believes can strengthen what he believes to be an aerial weakness in his playing squad.
“With Goutas, I think there is small paperwork still open. I hope after tomorrow it will be done,” Bulut said.
“We will then have completed two transfers but we need more.
“He is not only (known for his time in) Turkey, before that he had some quite good years at Olympiacos. He played for the Greek national team.
“If we finalise the deal with him, I hope we can get him back in the national team. Because he did really well, some good work, with Sivasspor. We played against each other and I know him well from there.
“He is quite good in defence. He is organised, good on the ball. He is good in the air. He has scored a lot of goals from set pieces.
“That is also important for us. We are training on set pieces, so we need these kinds of players. When the game is tired and you can’t create chances, you have to do it from set pieces.”
Dimitrios Goutas has appeared at the Cardiff City Stadium to watch his new team mates. pic.twitter.com/RhHc6avBCD
— CCFCxNG38 (@CCFCxNG38) July 4, 2023
