Aaron Ramsey: Return to Cardiff City sealed as Nice confirms departure

Aaron Ramsey, Wales captain, made his initial senior debut for Wales against Denmark in 2008.

The Wales skipper, Aaron Ramsey, has finalized an astonishing return to Cardiff City, signing a two-year contract.

32-year-old Ramsey underwent medical screening with the Championship club on Thursday.

Ramsey’s transfer to Cardiff was announced following confirmation by Nice that the former Arsenal midfielder had mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the French side.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to be back here. I always held a hope that one day I’d return, and the moment feels perfect,” he shared.

“Being surrounded by my family and familiar faces is simply amazing, I missed that significantly in the past year, so coming back was crucial to me.

“Of course, I’m a Cardiff City enthusiast, and having watched them over the years during my absence, we’ve encountered some challenges but also notable achievements like making it to the Premier League and representing Cardiff on a grand scale.

“My goal is to help my team and the club regain their top position.

“I’ve said this many times – I owe a great deal to Cardiff, the fans, and everyone involved in the club when I was a young lad starting out.

“It’s incredible to have come full circle now, to be part of this team, and hopefully help us accomplish our objectives.”

Ramsey drew attention from other clubs, but his return marks a significant addition to Cardiff and a huge boost for their new manager Erol Bulut, who was eager to bring him back to where he started his senior career.

Aaron Ramsey had a loan spell at Cardiff from Arsenal during the 2010-11 season.

“This is a monumental day. Aaron’s journey started here, and he’s back now to help us reach our objectives,” commented Bulut.

“I want to extend my gratitude to Tan Sri Vincent Tan for making all this possible. Also, our chairman, Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo, who have put in tireless work over the last few weeks.

“Aaron has had a remarkable career, playing in the Premier League, then Italy, France, and now back home in Cardiff. I am optimistic that his final years with us will be successful and we can achieve our aspirations.”

With 82 caps for his country, Ramsey started his journey at Cardiff in 2007 before moving to Arsenal in 2008.

He made a loan return to the Welsh capital in 2011 as he recuperated from a leg fracture.

Ramsey, who made over 250 appearances for Arsenal and won the FA Cup thrice, transferred to Juventus on a free transfer in 2019.

After a difficult spell in Italy, he played for Nice last season, but he had previously mentioned that family concerns would influence his next move.

Speaking to BBC Wales last month, Ramsey said: “I would definitely love to go back to Cardiff City someday.

“Growing up there and being given the platform to achieve what I have so far in my career, I will forever be indebted to them.

“My priority now is to enjoy my downtime with my family and make the best decision for us moving forward.”

Cardiff is currently under an EFL transfer embargo after defaulting on the initial £15m transfer fee payment for the late Emiliano Sala.

But the club can still sign players on free transfers under the embargo, which has been reduced to January 2024.

Meanwhile, Aaron’s eldest son, Sonny Ramsey, signed a letter of intent with the club.

Former Cardiff and Wales striker Nathan Blake believes that Ramsey’s return to the Bluebirds is a wise decision for the player.

“About two or three years ago, I was a strong supporter. I believed it would be a fantastic opportunity for Aaron to return,” Blake said during a BBC Radio Wales Sport’s Friday night programme.

“I felt if the owners were serious about building a team and establishing a meaningful legacy at the club, they would try to bring him back.

“I saw this as an opportunity when he left Juventus to build a team around him, displaying your intentions to other Championship clubs, demonstrating that you’re serious and you’re striving to sign Premier League quality players.”

Blake added: “His legs may not be what they were two or three years ago, but quality and ability enable adaptation – I liken it to Steven Gerrard, arguably the best midfielder of our generation, who gracefully transitioned into a superb passer; Paul Scholes is another example.

“As long as he’s willing to adapt, which I believe he is, I think this is beneficial.

“Despite the team’s lack of cohesion, Rambo (Ramsey) had the highest running stats of any Welsh player in the World Cup – it’s clear he still has the stamina, just not like before.

“But he was so ahead in those endurance stakes that even with a 25% reduction, he’s still going to be at or near the top.

“Age is indeed a significant factor, but if Cardiff can extract two or three years of play from him in a reserved role – he’s more than equipped for the Championship, that’s unquestionable.

“Given the embargo, you wouldn’t expect Cardiff to be signing players of his caliber. To me, this seems like a cunning move.

“The task for the manager now is to maximize his potential, which means observing him in training daily, because the Championship, though not as high quality as the Premier League, is not to be taken lightly – with its grueling schedule, it’s a real test of endurance for the mind and body.

“If you can extract 30-35 games from him at a minimum, I believe Aaron can be successful.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aaron Ramsey’s return to Cardiff City

More about Aaron Ramsey’s return to Cardiff City

• Aaron Ramsey’s career at Arsenal
• Cardiff City’s Official Club Site
• Aaron Ramsey’s brief time at Nice
• Transfer Embargo on Cardiff City
• Erol Bulut’s Appointment as Cardiff City’s Manager