Cian Ashford agrees first professional contract

Cardiff City Football Club are pleased to announce that Cian Ashford has agreed his first professional contract.

The 16-year-old has this week negotiated a new deal with the Bluebirds to remain at Cardiff City Stadium until the summer of 2024.

Ashford, who initially joined Cardiff City at the age of just six, has enjoyed an impressive season throughout the 2020/21 campaign, performing consistently for both the U16 and U18 sides and scoring 24 times across the two age groups. His displays also earned the promising youngster a full debut for City's U23 side against Nottingham Forest in April, when he started in a 2-1 away win.

Speaking at Cardiff City Stadium after putting pen to paper, Cian said: "To reach this milestone is a really big moment for me and my family. The goal when I joined the Club was to become a professional at Cardiff City and to eventually make my debut.

"Hopefully I can continue to progress in the coming seasons. I'm really excited to see what the future holds for me."

Academy Head of Coaching David Hughes added: "For Cian's journey, joining the Club at the age of six, there has been a lot of effort and hard work from him, his family supporting him, and our coaches and staff too.

"It's a great achievement for him. When you work in development, this is why you do it. To see local talents from the community getting success. The relationship that our fans have when one of our own makes it feels like no other.

"We really hope we can support Cian and the other players in the U18 and U23 squads to make that step up and ensure those within our system come through knowing what it means to be playing for Cardiff City."