**Major Cardiff City Departure on the Horizon as Injuries Explain Star Absences**
Cardiff City are bracing for a significant change to their squad as their experienced winger, Callum O’Dowda, prepares for an imminent transfer to a European side, sources have indicated to Wales Online. O’Dowda, whose recent outings have largely come at left-back, has been notably absent from pre-season activities, fuelling speculation among supporters over his future at the club.
For the Bluebirds, the 2025 off-season has already been a period of transition. As part of wider restructuring, the club parted company with nine players following the end of their contracts earlier this week. Additionally, Michael Reindorf and Roko Simic have both secured loan moves elsewhere, further reducing the size of the first-team squad. Club officials maintain, however, that while streamlining is important, key signings will also be required to address squad weaknesses and support their ambitions next season.
With O’Dowda’s departure now appearing likely, left-back suddenly emerges as a potential problem position for the Bluebirds. The current options include Joel Bagan, now the club’s most senior squad member in terms of tenure, Ryotaro Tsunoda who is more naturally suited to a centre-back role, and academy prospect Luey Giles – promising but not yet fully tested at this level.
O’Dowda, 30, put pen to paper on a contract extension with Cardiff as recently as early 2025, committing himself to the club until 2028. Should his transfer be finalised, the Bluebirds would be entitled to a transfer fee for the Republic of Ireland international – a point worth noting as the club continues to manage its finances closely in an ever-competitive market.
Compounding the squad’s concerns, two other established players have also been absent from the early days of pre-season training. However, sources close to the club have clarified the situation: both Perry Ng and Callum Robinson are currently nursing injuries. Ng suffered a setback on the opening day of pre-season and is now reportedly facing up to five weeks on the sidelines, which all but assures his absence from the opening fixtures of the League One campaign.
This presents another headache for manager Brian Barry-Murphy, especially as cover in the right-back position is already limited. However, this could represent an opportunity for young defender Ronan Kpakio. The promising Wales youth international, recently given a senior call-up by Craig Bellamy, may now have an early chance to impress in first-team action.
Meanwhile, Robinson is in the final stages of his rehabilitation from the injury that forced him to miss the tail-end of last season, including the final four games. He is targeting a return to team training during the club’s pre-season camp in Spain, raising hopes that last year’s player of the season will be back in action before the League One campaign gathers momentum.
For fans keen to see fresh faces join the squad, patience may be required. Club sources suggest further signings are unlikely to be unveiled until after the conclusion of the team’s summer camp in Spain. While this may frustrate some supporters, those close to club thinking emphasise the focus remains firmly on retaining a strong core of trusted performers capable of propelling Cardiff back to the Championship.
However, expectations are that transfer activity will intensify later in July, once the squad have returned from their overseas preparations. As the window edges towards its crucial stages, all eyes will be on how Cardiff City reshapes ahead of what promises to be a pivotal campaign for the club.
As ever, fans can follow all updates through Cardiff City’s official communication channels, and keep abreast of developing transfer stories, injury updates and the latest tactical adjustments as the Bluebirds look to mount an immediate return to England’s second tier.