2025–26 Cardiff City F.C. season

Cardiff City
2025–26 season
OwnerVincent Tan
ChairmanMehmet Dalman
Head coachBrian Barry-Murphy
StadiumCardiff City Stadium

The 2025–26 season is the 127th season in the history of Cardiff City Football Club and their first season back in League One (third tier) since the 2002–03 season following relegation from the Championship in the previous season. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.

Prior to the season starting, Brian Barry-Murphy was appointed as Head Coach on a three-year contract.[1]

Transfers

In

Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
3 July 2025 CM Matthew Apter Everton Bosman [2]
CB Gabriel Keita Norwich City [2]
CB Charlie O'Brien Queens Park Rangers [2]

Out

Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.
4 July 2025 LW Callum O'Dowda Ferencváros Undisclosed [3]

Loaned in

Date Pos. Player From Date until Ref.

Loaned out

Date Pos. Player To Date until Ref.
27 June 2025 CF Michael Reindorf Newport County 31 May 2026 [4]
28 June 2025 Roko Šimić Karlsruher SC 30 June 2026 [5]

Released / out of contract

Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join date Ref.
30 June 2025 LB Jamilu Collins [6]
CM Raheem Conte [6]
CB Freddie Cook [6]
RW Anwar El Ghazi [6]
AM Kieron Evans Eastleigh 26 June 2026 [7]
RW Cole Fleming [6]
CM Adeteye Gbadehan [6]
CB Dimitrios Goutas [6]
LW Baylin Johnson [6]
CF Yakou Méïté [6]
CM Joe Ralls [8]
Aaron Ramsey UNAM 3 July 2026 [9]
Andy Rinomhota [10]
GK Joe Thomas [6]

New contract

Date Pos. Player Contract until Ref.
2 July 2025 AM Jake Davies Undisclosed[a] [11]
CB Alyas Debono [11]
CF Daniel Ola [11]
LB Jac Thomas [11]
3 July 2025 CF Isaac Jefferies Undisclosed [2]
  1. ^ First professional contract

Current squad

As of 3 May 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Name Nat. Position(s) Date of birth (Age) Apps. Goals Year signed Signed from Transfer fee Ends
Goalkeepers
1 Ethan Horvath GK (1995-06-09) 9 June 1995 36 0 2024 Nottingham Forest Undisclosed 2027[12]
21 Jak Alnwick GK (1993-06-17) 17 June 1993 63 0 2022 St Mirren Free 2026[13]
41 Matthew Turner GK (2002-03-27) 27 March 2002 0 0 2021 Leeds United Free 2026[14]
Defenders
2 Will Fish CB (2003-02-17) 17 February 2003 24 0 2024 Manchester United Undisclosed 2028
5 Jesper Daland CB (2000-01-06) 6 January 2000 22 0 2024 Cercle Brugge Undisclosed 2028
12 Calum Chambers CB/RB/DM (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 42 2 2024 Aston Villa Free 2027
23 Joel Bagan LB (2001-09-03) 3 September 2001 78 3 2020 Academy Trainee 2026[15]
33 Ryotaro Tsunoda CB/LB (1999-06-27) 27 June 1999 0 0 2024 Yokohama F. Marinos Undisclosed [16]
38 Perry Ng RB/LB/CB (1996-04-27) 27 April 1996 181 9 2021 Crewe Alexandra £350,000 2026[17]
Midfielders
6 Ryan Wintle DM/CM/CB (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 117 5 2021 Crewe Alexandra Free 2026[18]
14 David Turnbull AM (1999-07-10) 10 July 1999 36 1 2024 Celtic Undisclosed 2027[19]
18 Alex Robertson CM/AMDM (2003-04-17) 17 April 2003 39 4 2024 Manchester City Undisclosed 2028
24 Eli King DM/CM (2002-12-23) 23 December 2002 8 0 2021 Academy Trainee 2026[20]
27 Rubin Colwill AM/LW/RW (2002-04-27) 27 April 2002 153 14 2020 Academy Trainee 2027[21]
32 Ollie Tanner LW/AM/RW (2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 71 4 2022 Lewes £50,000 2027
34 Joel Colwill CM (2004-10-27) 27 October 2004 5 0 2022 Academy Trainee 2028[21]
45 Cian Ashford AM (2004-09-24) 24 September 2004 40 4 2022 Academy Trainee 2027[22]
Forwards
9 Kion Etete CF/SS (2001-11-28) 28 November 2001 62 9 2022 Tottenham Hotspur £500,000 2027
16 Chris Willock LW/RW/AM (1998-01-31) 31 January 1998 34 2 2024 Queens Park Rangers Free 2027
22 Yousef Salech CF (2002-01-17) 17 January 2002 22 9 2025 IK Sirius Undisclosed 2029
39 Isaak Davies SS/RW/LW (2001-09-25) 25 September 2001 52 6 2020 Academy Trainee 2026
47 Callum Robinson LW/CF/RW (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 82 23 2022 West Bromwich Albion £1,500,000 2027
Out on Loan
31 Roko Šimić CF (2003-09-10) 10 September 2003 0 0 2024 FC Red Bull Salzburg Undisclosed 2028
46 Michael Reindorf CF (2005-05-10) 10 May 2005 4 0 2024 Norwich City Free Undisclosed

Pre-season and friendlies

On 6 June, Cardiff City announced as part of their pre-season preparations the squad would travel to Murcia for a warm-weather training camp.[23] Six days later, two friendlies were confirmed, against Yeovil Town and Cambridge United.[24] A further two friendlies against Queens Park Rangers and Notts County were later added.[25] On 30 June, friendlies against Johor Darul Ta'zim and Southend United were added to the Spain training camp.[26][27]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

9 July 2025 Friendly Johor Darul Ta'zim v Cardiff City San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:00 CEST Stadium: Pinatar Arena
12 July 2025 Friendly Southend United v Cardiff City San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:00 CEST Stadium: Pinatar Arena
15 July 2025 Friendly Yeovil Town v Cardiff City Yeovil
19:30 BST Stadium: Huish Park
18 July 2025 Friendly Cardiff City v Cambridge United Vale of Glamorgan
TBC BST Stadium: Cardiff City Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
23 July 2025 Friendly Queens Park Rangers v Cardiff City Hounslow
14:00 BST Stadium: TSG Training Centre
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
26 July 2025 Friendly Notts County v Cardiff City Nottingham
15:00 BST Stadium: Meadow Lane

Competitions

League One

Main article: 2025–26 EFL League One

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
5 Bradford City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for League One play-offs
6 Burton Albion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Cardiff City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Doncaster Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Exeter City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[28]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: pre-season.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round1
Ground
Result
Position
Points
Source: EFL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 August 2025 (2025-08-02) 1 Cardiff City v Peterborough United Cardiff
12:30 BST Sky report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
7 August 2025 (2025-08-07) 2 Port Vale v Cardiff City Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
20:00 BST Sky report Stadium: Vale Park
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 9 August, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[29]
16 August 2025 (2025-08-16) 3 Cardiff City v Rotherham United Cardiff
15:00 BST Sky report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
19 August 2025 4 AFC Wimbledon v Cardiff City Wimbledon
19:45 BST Sky report Stadium: Plough Lane
23 August 2025 5 Luton Town v Cardiff City Luton
12:30 BST Sky report Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[29]
30 August 2025 6 Cardiff City v Plymouth Argyle Cardiff
12:30 BST Sky report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[29]

FA Cup

Main article: 2025–26 FA Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

EFL Cup

Main article: 2025–26 EFL Cup

Cardiff were drawn at home to Swindon Town in the first round.[30][31]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 August 2025 First round Cardiff City v Swindon Town Leckwith
19:45 BST Sky report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium

EFL Trophy

Main article: 2025–26 EFL Trophy

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of pre-season

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

No. Pos Nat Player Total League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Goals record

As of pre-season
Rank No. Nat. Po. Name League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
Total 0 0 0 0 0

Assists record

As of pre-season
Rank No. Nat. Po. Name League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
Total 0 0 0 0 0

Disciplinary record

As of pre-season
Rank No. Nat. Po. Name League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
         
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

  1. ^ "Brian Barry-Murphy appointed as First Team Head Coach". Cardiff City FC. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Three new recruits join City's U21s". Cardiff City FC. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  3. ^ "O'Dowda leaves Cardiff to join Ferencvaros". BBC Sport. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Newport sign Cardiff striker Reindorf on loan". BBC Sport. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Simic joins Karlsruher SC". Cardiff City F.C. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "2024/25 Retained List". Cardiff City FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Evans moves to National League after Cardiff exit". BBC Sport. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Joe Ralls to leave Cardiff City". Cardiff City FC. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Wales midfielder Ramsey finalises move to Mexican side Pumas". BBC Sport. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Andy Rinomhota to depart". Cardiff City FC. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "Four young Bluebirds sign professional terms". Cardiff City FC. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Ethan Horvath signs". Cardiff City FC. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Jak Alnwick pens a new contract". Cardiff City. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Matthew Turner pens new City deal". Cardiff City. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Joel Bagan pens a new City deal". Cardiff City F.C. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Tsunoda completes transfer and loan out deal". Cardiff City FC. 23 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Perry Ng signs new City deal". Cardiff City F.C. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Ryan Wintle pens a new three-year deal". Cardiff City F.C. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  19. ^ "David Turnbull is a Bluebird". Cardiff City F.C. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Eli King signs new three-year contract". Cardiff City F.C. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Rubin Colwill & Joe Colwill sign new City deals". Cardiff City. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Cian Ashford extends contract with the Bluebirds". Cardiff City. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Bluebirds travel to Spain". Cardiff City FC. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  24. ^ "City to face Yeovil Town & Cambridge United". Cardiff City FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  25. ^ "QPR & Notts County friendlies confirmed". Cardiff City FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  26. ^ "City to face Johor Darul Ta'zim". Cardiff City FC. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  27. ^ "City to face Southend United in Spain". Cardiff City FC. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  28. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". English Football League. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  29. ^ a b c "League One fixture alterations | August 2025". Cardiff City FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Carabao Cup R1 Fixture Confirmation | Cardiff City vs. Swindon Town". Cardiff City FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
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