Cardiff City and Swansea City starlets transfer to Cymru Premier

Two Cardiff City and Swansea City goalkeepers will ply their trade in the JD Cymru Premier for the 2025/26 season.

The transfer window officially opened for Cymru Leagues clubs on Monday, June 16, and clubs have been busy trying to assemble their squads for the forthcoming campaign.

Connah’s Quay Nomads have recruited Kit Margetson from Swansea City after a gap was left at the Essity Stadium following George Ratcliffe’s return to Barry Town United.

Margetson will line up against his older brother Ben, who plays for Barry Town United. He is also the son of Martyn Margetson, formerly of Cardiff City and Manchester City, and is now the current Head of Goalkeeping for the Welsh national team.

Kit Margetson in action for Swansea City against Baglan Dragons in the Nathaniel MG Cup.

“When I heard there was interest from Connah’s Quay, I couldn’t turn it down,” said the 18-year-old to the official club website.

“After speaking to John and hearing what the club’s ambitions are for this season, to get the club back to where it belongs, that was something I really wanted to be a part of – I’m really looking forward to meeting up with the lads and getting to work.”

This is his first time away from the Swansea.com Stadium in a move that will hopefully provide a beneficial experience in the development of Margetson’s career.

He has earned numerous caps for Wales at age-grade level, featuring for their U16, U17 and U19 teams, whilst he played a part in the Welsh U17 team which qualified for the UEFA European U17 Championships in 2023.

Speaking about one of his newest signings, manager John Disney said: “Kit is someone I have been aware of and kept tabs on as he caught my eye when watching Swansea U23 games, and I was also fortunate enough to see him play for the Wales under-age national teams.

“After my first conversations with him, I was incredibly impressed with his professionalism, how he comes across and his desire to play men’s football – I know that Kit turned down a number of other opportunities to come and play for ourselves and as club we are grateful for Swansea City, especially Director of Football Richard Montague, and Martyn Margetson for facilitating the move and hopefully the club can utilise this to help form a close relationship moving forwards.”

His loan will commence on July 14, giving him enough time to prepare for the Nomads’ Nathaniel MG Cup Round Two tie against either JD Cymru North sides Ruthin Town or Penrhyncoch.

Cardiff City and Penybont's Luke Armstrong in action for the Wales U19s against Turkey in a UEFA EURO U19 Championship Qualifiers — Luke Armstrong in action for the Wales U19s against Turkey in a UEFA EURO U19 Championship Qualifiers.

Cardiff City goalkeeper joins Penybont

In South Wales, another club have recruited between the sticks with Penybont signing Luke Armstrong on loan from Cardiff City as they continue their preparations to face Lithuanian side FK Kauno Žalgiris.

First-choice goalkeeper Adam Przybek departed the club after a season at the SDM Glass Stadium. The 25-year-old missed just one league game last season and kept 12 clean sheets in 31 matches.

Przybek has departed for pastures new, and that has forced Rhys Griffiths to delve into the transfer market and sign a replacement ahead of their UEFA Conference League adventure. Ayrton Best signed a couple of weeks ago, but now he will face stiff competition from Armstrong.

Armstrong suffered a knee injury just a fortnight into pre-season last year, overcoming a Grade 2 MCL and MPFL injury, but fully recovered and is highly rated by those at the Cardiff City Stadium.

He has been with Cardiff City since 2022 after joining from Wolves and has made the gradual step-up from the Under-18s team to the Under-21s. The 19-year-old was also involved in the warm-ups of the senior team towards the tail end of the 2024/25 campaign.