Cardiff City F.C. have completed the signing of England international centre-back Steven Caulker from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal reportedly worth around £8 million, Sky Sports understands.
Caulker, who joined Spurs’ youth team during the 2007/08 season, has signed a four-year deal with the Bluebirds.
The England international, 21, scored two goals in 28 appearances in all competitions for Spurs last term.
Prior to last season, Caulker had spent three consecutive seasons on loan at Yeovil Town (2009/10; League One), Bristol City (2010/11; Championship) and Swansea City (2011/12; Premier League).
Caulker, set to team-up with new arrivals Andreas Cornelius, John Brayford and Simon Moore at Cardiff City Stadium, is delighted with the move, which has made him the club’s new record signing.
“I want to say how happy I am to have signed with Cardiff City. I’m delighted to be here & excited for this fresh challenge,” the 21-year-old told the Bluebirds’ official website, www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
“I spoke to the gaffer yesterday, liked what he had to say and am excited about the plans he has for the football club.
“You get the sense of excitement from everybody at the club in the build-up to the season’s kick-off at West Ham and I’m really looking forward to being part of it.
“I thank Tottenham for everything they’ve done for me, having been there since I was a kid. But I’m here to back myself up now and show what I can do. This is a fresh start, a new chapter and I’m here to kick on.”
English Premier League newboys Cardiff City will kick-off their 2013/14 campaign against West Ham United at Upton Park on Saturday, 17 August.
Heldt dismisses Papadopoulos exit rumours
FC Schalke 04 general manager Horst Heldt has rubbished reports claiming that Kyriakos Papadopoulos is on the verge of completing a move to Liverpool, per ESPN.
Papadopoulos, 21, has been linked with a summer move to Anfield amid speculation that the Reds are willing to allow Martin Skrtel to follow Pepe Reina to S.S.C. Napoli.
“There is no truth in those rumours,” Heldt told Reviersport. “There is no offer put up for the services of Kyriakos Papadopoulos. Not from Liverpool FC or any other club.
“In case we receive a written transfer offer for his services we would sit down and discuss that with him.”
According to reports, the Greece international defender has a buy-out clause, believed to be in the region of €22 million, in his current contract, but the clause — much like the one in Marouane Fellaini’s deal — expires at the end of this month.
Papadopoulos, who bagged two goals in 16 competitive appearances for Schalke last term, is currently recovering from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of the 2012/13 season.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
