MEDEL - THE DOSSIER

All you need to know about City's combative midfielder

So who is Gary Medel? Well apart from being the Bluebirds most recent signing of course his nickname of ‘Pitbull’ should tell you all you need to know about City’s latest addition.

A 51-time capped Chilean International, Medel is set to bring some hard hitting bite and steel to City’s midfield; a regular in the Sevilla engine room since joining in 2011, Medel has made 80 appearances for the La Liga club as an almost ever present.

The 26-year old also remains an integral part of his national side; World Cup appearances in South Africa in 2010 the highlight of his International career so far. He is set to join up with his national side once again on Sunday, for a Chile’s friendly against Iraq in Denmark on Wednesday evening.



Medel started his career in Chilean Capital Santiago with club Universidad Catolica, one of the most successful clubs in Chile’s Primera Division. After breaking into the senior set-up in 2006 the ‘Chilean Gattuso’, as was quickly labelled by local media due to his likeness to former AC Milan and Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, went on to make 70 appearances including numerous in the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.



A move to Argentinian giants Boca Juniors followed, initially on a one-year loan deal in a move that he then described as a ‘dream come true’. After two seasons with Boca and 46 appearances as a regular in their midfield a World Cup call-up followed for Chile with a move to European admirers Sevilla soon coming in January 2011.

Medel arrived to join the Bluebirds just a day after appearing for Sevilla in their 3-1 win over Manchester United in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial match at Old Trafford.



The Chillean International was confirmed as a Cardiff City player on Saturday night following the Bluebirds 2-1 pre-season victory over Athletic Club at Cardiff City Stadium, a player City boss Malky Mackay is certain will become ‘an invaluable asset to the squad’.