Cardiff sign Norway midfielder Eikrem

Cardiff City have signed Heerenveen and Norway playmaker Magnus Wolff Eikrem.

The 23-year-old moves to the Premier League after just six months in Dutch football at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.

He has previously worked with Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Manchester United’s reserve team and at Molde.

And the Cardiff boss is delighted to have been reunited with the creative midfielder.

“I’ve known Magnus for many years, having worked with him at Manchester United and then signing him for Molde,” he told the club’s official website.

“While I was there I had to sell him as he was our best player – and now I feel lucky to get to sign him again for Cardiff City for a reasonable price. I see this as money well spent.

“He’s a playmaker, a quarterback if you will, someone who likes to get on the ball and can see a pass. He’s technically very good, including set pieces and has great vision. Magnus will add a lot to Cardiff City and will blend in very well with the midfielders in the squad.”

Eikrem came through the Molde youth set-up before making the switch to Old Trafford in 2006. However, he failed to make the grade at United and was limited to four substitute appearances in all competitions during his time in England.

Back at Molde he flourished, making 26 starts in his first Tippeligaen campaign, scoring four goals, before going on to make his Norway debut in the 3-2 defeat to Greece in January 2012.

He then spent two further seasons at Molde before moving to the Eredivisie in June 2013, scoring two league goals in 13 appearances.

Eikrem is Solskjaer’s first signing at the club, having been appointed as Malky Mackay’s successor on Thursday, and will be tasked with helping his new side improve from their current position of 17th.