The Bluebirds have announced the loan signing of Calum Scanlon from Liverpool
Calum Scanlon joins Cardiff City on loan from Liverpool(Image: Cardiff City FC)
View Image
Cardiff City have completed the loan signing of Liverpool left-back Calum Scanlon until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old joins the Bluebirds after the two clubs reached an agreement ahead of the transfer deadline, bolstering Brian Barry-Murphy’s options at left-back for the run-in.
“It’s a brilliant feeling,” Scanlon said. “When I found out that Cardiff City was interested in taking me on loan here, I was delighted. I know it’s a massive club performing well at the moment, so it’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get working.
“Everything about the club made me want to be here; what it stands for, to the manager and the staff, how they approach the game and the style of football they play as well. It’s brilliant how we attack and defend, and it’s something that I want to be a part of.
“I know players here as well with good technical ability, and it’s an opportunity for me to learn and to hopefully perform as well.
“The main thing that I want to bring is hard work. That’s a non-negotiable as when you come here there’s an expectation to perform, as long as I’m working hard defensively. I want to do my bit for the team and help out here so that we can push on even more.
“I attended a game here last year when we played Huddersfield Town, and the fans were amazing. They really support the team, it’s a good setup here and I think one of the reasons for that success as well is how much the fans are behind the players. I think that’s a big thing, and I can’t wait to meet them at the games.”
Cardiff had made no secret of their desire to bring in competition for Joel Bagan, who has been the club’s only senior left-sided defensive option this season.
While Bagan has impressed, the Bluebirds were keen to add depth in a demanding second half of the campaign. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
Scanlon arrives with Championship experience under his belt, having spent last season on loan at Millwall.
His time at The Den was disrupted by injury, including a back fracture and later a hamstring problem, but he showed flashes of his attacking quality — notably scoring against Cardiff during his stint with the Lions.
An England youth international, Scanlon has been highly regarded at Anfield and was part of the first-team setup under Jurgen Klopp, featuring in matchday squads and gaining Europa League experience during the 2023-24 season.
However, opportunities have been limited and Liverpool were keen for him to gain regular senior minutes. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Cardiff are understood to have sold the move as an opportunity for Scanlon to play consistently in a side pushing to finish the season strongly, with Barry-Murphy’s track record in developing young players also a key factor in the deal.
"We feel that every single player we bring to the club can improve us significantly, and we also have to feel that every player we bring in really wants to be a Cardiff City footballer. On both of those fronts, Calum fits the profile perfectly. We're as excited as he is to work together," Barry-Murphy said.
"He wasn't quite ready to play at the end of the last window, but he's been back in training for a long time now. We're very keen to involve him in our squad because of how much we feel he fits our style of play, and how much he can add to us.
"He's very keen to improve all aspects of his game, which is very aligned with how our squad works. Coming in to compete against the players we have will be a big challenge for him, but one he's really up for."
The City boss has already earned praise for his work with emerging talent, most notably Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman, whose performances and fitness have improved significantly in south Wales.
Scanlon is viewed as a dynamic, attack-minded full-back who can also operate further forward on the wing.
Quick and aggressive, he offers pace and directness down the left flank, though this spell will also be seen as an opportunity for him to refine the defensive side of his game with regular exposure to senior football.
---
*Sign up to ourdaily Bluebirds newsletter here and ourWhatsApp channel here. Cardiff City correspondent Glen Williams is also on social media. He can be found on hisX account here, onInstagram, onTikTok and onFacebook.