Cardiff City have completed a deal for Preston North End’s Greg Cunningham.
The Bluebirds have signed the Republic of Ireland international defender for an undisclosed fee understood to be around £4m.
The 27-year-old is Neil Warnock’s second signing of the summer after the Bluebirds signed Norwich winger Josh Murphy in a deal worth around £11m.
Cunningham has signed a three year deal, as Cardiff begin planning for life in the Premier League next season.
“It’s fair to say that I’ve been an admirer of Greg for a number of years and that he’s consistently been one of the best left-sided defenders for club and country,” Cardiff manager Neil Warnock explained.
“We’re delighted to have his experience and knowledge so as to supplement Joe Bennett who had a great time last season. I anticipate that Greg coming in will give us a lot of strength down that left-hand side.”
Warnock had previously said he had been hoping to add five new faces to his squad this summer following promotion to the Premier League.
Cunningham has been a target for Cardiff in the past, with the club having had a bid rejected for the full-back last August.
He has made 103 league appearances for Preston since arriving at Deepdale on a free transfer three years ago, and had 12 months remaining on his contract. Preston had been eager to agree a new deal.
Cardiff cool on McClean
Cardiff were also keen on a potential deal for winger James McClean, who scored the winning goal for Republic of Ireland against Wales in their World Cup qualifier in October, 2017.
West Bromwich Albion have turned down a bid from Stoke City for the 59-cap international and, with wages also a factor, Cardiff are refusing to break their budget plans and have turned their attention elsewhere.
Warnock said he had identified potential singings before the Bluebirds sealed their promotion from the Championship last month.
Cardiff have offered new deals to midfielders Junior Hoilett and Aron Gunnarsson after their contracts expired. Wales Under-21s international Cameron Coxe has also been offered fresh terms.
Source: BBC news
