CONFIRMED: DIKGACOI JOINS CARDIFF CITY
Cardiff City are pleased to announce that South African International Kagisho Dikgacoi has joined the club. The powerful midfielder, a free agent having seen his contract at Crystal Palace expire, will join the club on a 3 year deal on 1 July 2014, subject to league approval.
The 29 year old, also known as KG, arrives as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s fifth signing of the summer after successfully completing his medical this week, following the arrival of Javi Guerra, Guido Burgstaller, Federico Macheda and Adam Le Fondre.
Speaking following his move to the Welsh capital, Kagisho said: “I’m delighted to join Cardiff City. The manager was persistent in wanting to bring me here, which always means a lot to a player. Growing up I was a big fan of the way he played and I can’t wait to get started with my new team-mates in training.
“Having played at the stadium and against Cardiff on a number of occasions I’m really looking forward to my first game in front of the Cardiff City fans. Like Crystal Palace fans, they are extremely passionate and love football. I’ll be sure to give them one hundred per cent effort in trying to get us promoted back to the Premier League.”
Born in Brandfort, South Africa, KG represented local club Cardiff Spurs, Bloemfontein Young Tigers and Golden Arrows in his early career, then making the move to the Premier League with Fulham in 2009. He played a total of sixteen games for the Cottagers.
Joining Crystal Palace, initially on loan for game-time in February 2011, Kagisho made thirteen appearances with the Eagles until the end of the season. A single goal was scored by the midfielder, a Selhurst Park Championship winner against Cardiff City.
The Eagles move was made permanent in July 2011, with KG seeing far more game time in the 2011/12 Championship season. He made a total of 31 appearances that year, scoring two goals. KG was also in the Palace squad for both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final against Cardiff City.
Now a firm regular in the Eagles squad, KG was a focal part of the Crystal Palace promotion winning squad, playing a total of forty five games that season, including seventeen minutes of the Wembley play-off final against Watford before being forced off through injury. Last season Kagisho made a total of twenty seven appearances for the Eagles before his Selhurst Park contract expired.
All at Cardiff City FC welcome KG’s arrival and look forward to seeing him in action. Returning to South Africa tonight, he will join up with the squad and be unveiled to press when the squad return for pre-season training.
A proud South African, KG has set up the Kagisho Dikgacoi Foundation, specialising in positive outreach work with youngsters. For more information visit: www.kagishodikgacoi.org
