Cardiff City Confirm Shock Signing Of Andy Rinomhota From Reading
Skybet Championship outfit Cardiff City have announced the signing of Zimbabwe’s prospective midfieder Andrew Rinomhota from fellow Championship side Reading on a three-year deal to complete a stunning summer transfer.
The 25-year-old midfieder who was born in Leeds, England to a Zimbabwean father and a British mother, made a total of 139 appearances for Reading, scoring four goals and seven assists since his debut for the first team in 2017.
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— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) June 24, 2022
The midfielder joins the #Bluebirds on a three-year deal!
Welcome to the Welsh capital, Andy! 💙#CityAsOne
His move to Cardiff City after the expiry of his contract at Reading comes as one of the most surprising in the Skybet Championship and represents a bargain deal for Cardiff City.
His departure leaves Reading without a proper defensive midfieder.
The Royals had tried to offer him fresh terms amid interests from several clubs including Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers but Rinomhota opted to move to South Wales.
“He’s a top player, and he wanted to come and play for us, ” said the Bluebirds manager Steve Morison.
“He had a tough year last year with a couple of injuries, but before that he played two 40+ game seasons.
“He was a top player for Reading. We’ll manage him right, and we hope to get 40 top quality games out of him this year,” said Morison.
The former Reading academy graduate has shown enthusiasm for the new adventure ahead of him by joining the Bluebirds’ preseason training before his deal was announced.
“I spoke with the manager and liked his ideas. His ambitions were in line with mine and the philosophy suits me,” said Rinomhota
“I’m box-to-box, but I can sit and be more defensive, I like to break up play.
“I like to drive with the ball, get past players and make runs behind the striker, ” he said.
Rinomhota is one of the UK-based players targeted by Zimbabwe Warriors technical team and has already indicated his desire to represent the country of his origin but the incompetent and ‘politics’ by the ZIFA administration has hindered his transformation.
*Story photos courtesy of Cardiff City FC website
