Iké Ugbo is a Bluebird

Cardiff City Football Club are delighted to announce forward Iké Ugbo as their first summer signing of 2023.

The 24-year-old joins the Bluebirds on loan from ES Troyes AC for the entirety of the 2023/24 season.

Lewisham-born Iké came through the youth ranks at Chelsea. The striker had loan spells with Barnsley, MK Dons and Scunthorpe United before venturing onto the continent with Roda JC and Cercle Brugge.

After successful temporary spells in Europe, Ugbo firstly joined Genk permanently before linking up with Troyes in 2022.

Iké played for England at youth level before switching international allegiance to Canada. He has eight international caps to date.

After putting pen to paper in South Wales, Iké said: “I’m very happy to be here. I’ve been waiting to come back to the English leagues for a while now and I’m really pleased that it’s finally over the line. 

“I spoke to the manager before coming here. He was telling me how I suit the Club, what I can do to help the Club and what the Club can do to help me. I think our ambitions align together, so I think it was a perfect choice for me. 

“For the team, I think we should push for the highest and try and get promoted. I think we shouldn’t short-change ourselves. There is great variety in the team, so I think we can do really good stuff this year.

"I can’t wait to finally put on the shirt and score my first goal for the Club.” 

Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut gave his thoughts about his first signing in the Welsh capital: "For me, this is an excellent signing for the offensive part of the team.

"Iké has shown what he can do over the last three years. When he was in Belgium he scored a lot of goals, and he did some very good things with Troyes as well.

"In 1v1 situations, he is really good in the box. His heading and finishing is also good. These are things that we need, because we know that last season the team did not score enough goals.

"We have signed him early, so he will have a pre-season with us. I think having a pre-season will bring a lot of positive things for him."