Morgan Wigley while playing for Wales U18s is challenged by Lewis Hall of England(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
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Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Wednesday, July 1.
Premier League talent signs as announcement made
Cardiff City's capture of highly-rated Manchester City youngster Cass Machin has been confirmed after the midfielder's agency announced he has completed a permanent move to the Bluebirds.
GSW Football revealed the transfer on social media on Wednesday, posting a photograph of the 16-year-old holding a Cardiff City scarf at Cardiff City Stadium following the completion of the deal.
"We're delighted to announce Cass Machin has completed a permanent move from Man City to Cardiff City," the agency wrote.
"A move that presents the perfect opportunity for Cass to continue his development in an environment where he can thrive.
"Wishing Cass every success as he begins this exciting new chapter. Best of luck, Cass."
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The move had been expected after WalesOnline reported in May that Cardiff were set to land one of Manchester City's brightest academy prospects.
Machin, who has been with the Premier League club since under-nine level, is a technically-gifted midfielder who featured for Manchester City's under-16s last season and is expected to link up with Cardiff's under-18s squad ahead of the new campaign.
His arrival is another indication of the Bluebirds' growing ambition at academy level under Brian Barry-Murphy.
The Cardiff boss spent four years coaching within Manchester City's highly-regarded academy before taking charge in the Welsh capital earlier this year and has made no secret of his desire to develop young players capable of progressing into the first team.
Cardiff's academy has enjoyed a productive spell in recent years, with the likes of Cian Ashford, Joel Colwill, Eli King, Isaak Davies, Ronan Kpakio and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa all making the step into senior football.
Machin is understood to be another player the club believe can flourish in their increasingly possession-based development model.
Summer departure finds new club
Former Cardiff City forward Morgan Wigley has found a new club after signing for Merthyr Town following his departure from the Bluebirds.
The 21-year-old winger officially became a free agent this week after his Cardiff contract expired on June 30, having been named on the club's retained list at the end of last season.
Merthyr have now confirmed Wigley has signed a one-year deal ahead of their National League North campaign. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.****
The pacey attacker came through Cardiff's academy after joining the club at the age of seven and signed his first professional contract in 2023 under Erol Bulut.
Wigley spent the first half of last season on loan at Barry Town United before returning to Cardiff's under-21 side in January.
He will now link up with former Bluebirds team-mate Will Spiers at Penydarren Park after the defender also joined Merthyr this summer following two impressive loan spells with the club.
Merthyr manager Paul Michael believes Wigley has the attributes to make a big impact.
"Morgan has elite level pace, an excellent touch and is a good finisher," he said.
"Although his loan didn't set the world alight last season, I believe he has all the qualities to succeed beyond this level. You only need to look at his performances for Cardiff City under-21s against ourselves and Yeovil to see his frightening potential and I'm really looking forward to working with him."
Wigley is the latest Cardiff academy graduate to secure a move following his release as he looks to kick-start the next chapter of his career.
Bullish Cardiff youngster sets lofty target to catch Barry-Murphy's eye
Promising Cardiff City youngster Mannie Barton has set himself the ambitious target of scoring 30 goals this season as he looks to force his way onto Barry-Murphy's radar.
The highly-rated forward, 18, believes goals are the key to pushing his development on after narrowly missing the milestone last term, having hit the mark in previous campaigns.
"I want to score another load of goals," Barton told Cardiff City's media team.
"I want to reach 30 again. I was unlucky not to reach it last year like I have in previous seasons.
"I want to score as many as I can. Hopefully push on this season and put in impressive performances."
Barton will have plenty of opportunities to impress during an eye-catching pre-season schedule for Cardiff's under-21s. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.****
The young Bluebirds face a mixture of senior opposition and Category One academy sides, with fixtures against Poole Town, Bath City, Yeovil Town and Torquay United before testing themselves against Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Fulham's under-21 teams.
Barton believes those matches will provide the ideal preparation as he targets senior football.
"We have got some tough challenges coming up, testing ourselves against Cat 1 teams and men's teams - different challenges," he said.
"It poses different challenges. We want to be challenging to play men's football, so playing them will only do us a favour.
"If you pose yourself against Cat 1 teams the quality is going to be immense."
With Barry-Murphy placing a strong emphasis on youth development since arriving at Cardiff, Barton will hope another prolific campaign can put him firmly in contention for first-team opportunities during the 2026/27 season.
Former Bluebird re-joins Newport as move announced
Former Cardiff City midfielder Kieron Evans has re-joined Newport County on a permanent deal after leaving National League side Eastleigh.
The 24-year-old returns to Rodney Parade after a successful loan spell during the 2024/25 campaign, when he made 38 appearances and scored three goals for the Exiles.
Evans came through Cardiff City's academy before spending time on loan with Linfield, Gateshead, Torquay United and Newport, eventually joining Eastleigh permanently last summer following his departure from the Bluebirds.
Newport confirmed his return on Tuesday, with the club describing the Welsh midfielder as a player who had become "a popular figure with supporters through his energetic performances and attacking quality" during his previous spell.
Known for his energy and creativity in midfield, Evans adds EFL experience to the managerless side ahead of the 2026/27 season.
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