Cardiff City offer Welsh clubs chance to sign former Newport and Northampton striker
Haverfordwest County goalkeeper Matthew Turner in action Penybont v Haverfordwest County at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 2nd April 2021. Lewis Mitchell/Penybont FC
Cardiff City have reportedly given Cymru Premier clubs the opportunity to sign Under-21 pair Chanka Zimba and Jack Leahy on loan.
The January transfer window is open and already teams in Wales’ top tier have begun recruiting players to help them with their respective goals. Welsh teams could now be given the opportunity by one of the countries biggest clubs to take their players on loan.
Former Barry Town United manager Gavin Chesterfield is the academy manager at the Championship club, and it is being reported that two players could be on their way to
Cardiff City page CCFCInsider said in a tweet that Leahy is likely to join National League sides Maidstone or Worthing. Leahy had options from Northern Ireland and the Cymru Premier. The Bluebirds will make a decision on whether his contract is renewed or not based on how he does on his loan spell away from South Wales.
Haverfordwest County are said to be the favourites for Leahy out of the teams in the Cymru Premier interested, but whether he moves to West Wales remains to be seen.
Chanka Zimba has returned to the club after his loan at Newport County was cut short. Zimba is under contract at Cardiff until the summer of 2024, but his loan at Rodney Parade did not go to plan.
The 21-year-old played 20 times for the Exiles, netting twice and earning an assist, but he was returned to Cardiff after not playing at all in December. Zimba was playing at Northampton Town last season and helped them reach the League Two play-offs. He played 14 times and scored once for the Cobblers.
Cardiff are currently under a transfer embargo but still want to give senior action to their younger players, and it is understood two Welsh teams missed out on one of their starlets with James Crole joining National League outfit Torquay United on a season-long loan deal. Crole was a target for both Pontypridd United and Penybont, but the Wales Under-19 international has joined up with fellow loanee Kieron Evans. Pontypridd meanwhile have seen loanees Joe Woodiwiss and Lewys Twamley return to Newport County, with Twamley expected to be involved in the Exiles’ first-team.
Cardiff Under-21 goalkeeper Matt Turner meanwhile has made his return to the Welsh top flight by joining Aberystwyth Town on a season-long loan deal. Lewis Webb returned to Swansea City, and Anthony Williams moved quickly to source his replacement.
Turner had a spell with Haverfordwest County, having been on loan from Leeds United. He had begun his career at Llanelli Town and Pontardawe Town, before moving to the Yorkshire club.
Upon his move to Park Avenue, Turner said to the official club website: “As soon as I heard the club were interested in having me on loan, I’ve been really excited about the prospect of returning to the Cymru Premier.
“I know how important the club is within the local community and to its fans, so I hope to play my part and contribute in making a difference into the second half of the season.
“I had a few conversations with Taff [Anthony Williams] before meeting the squad on Tuesday and everyone has been brilliant with me. I see this as a very good move in my development and look forward to getting started.”
