MALKY WELCOMES CORNELIUS

Boss welcomes Danish striker at Vale press conference

City boss Malky Mackay welcomed Danish striker Andreas Cornelius to the club at the Vale of Glamorgan today, as the Dane faced the media for the first time.

Cornelius’ arrival at Cardiff City Stadium was confirmed earlier this month as the 20 year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal from boyhood club FC Copenhagen, bringing with him form that saw him top the scoring charts in the Danish Superligaen last season with 18 goals.

And having secured the Danish international's signature ahead of the Bluebirds’ assault on the new Barclays Premier League season, Mackay said: “Andreas has plenty of potential. We'd been watching him for a year and thought we would miss out. But we managed to get him.

“We think Andreas is a really top player. He was player of the season at Copenhagen and has scored plenty of goals. But he adds to the quality we already have up front and to the squad that got us to the Premier League.”

And the City boss was clear to state that the Bluebirds faced stiff competition to sign the FC Copenhagen forward having tracked his progress for a good period, since he burst onto the scene in the Danish capital last season.

“We tracked him over last year - it was a contact in Denmark who put us on to him,” said Mackay.

“We were in competition internationally with another club at the time, and very soon afterwards three other Premier League clubs moved in to try and take him as well.

“By Christmas he was in such form we really didn't think we had much chance of getting him, because top clubs around Europe were watching closely.

“It turned out we were able to do things quickly, and I have to give special mention to Copenhagan - they were tremendous: efficient, professional and friendly. I’m delighted we have signed him.”

With his first summer signing safely through the door the City boss also informed the media on the progress of his latest target, Blackpool’s Tom Ince.

“We’ve had a bid accepted by Blackpool and agreed terms with his agent,” said Mackay “Tom and his Dad were both on holiday so Monday was the earliest time we could have a chat.

“Friday morning we’ll have a decision one way or another.”

Watch Andreas Cornelius' first press conference as a Cardiff City player for FREE below courtesy of Cardiff City Player.