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Newly promoted Welsh side Cardiff continued with their high profile summer spending by breaking the club’s transfer record for the third time in quick succession.
Tough tackling Chilean midfielder Gary Medel is the latest to arrive at the Welsh capital, after La Liga side Sevilla agreed to a £9.5 million deal.
The Welsh outfit have confirmed the transfer of Medel, subject to the player getting a work permit. The signing of the no-nonsense Chilean hard tackler comes on the back of the disappointment that Cardiff suffered with the collapse of the Etienne Capoue deal, which has been hijacked by Tottenham Hotspur in all probability.
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The 26-year old Medel signed for the Bluebirds after the side’s 2-1 friendly win over Athletic Bilbao at the Cardiff City stadium on Saturday.
Nicknamed ‘El Pitbull’ for his stout physical ability and fearlessness in launching crunching tackles on the opposition, Gary Medel was in the Sevilla side that triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford on Friday night in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial, and the Bluebirds wasted no time in striking out a club record deal with Los Rojiblancos.
Having splashed the cash on Stephen Caulker and Danish international Andreas Cornelius for £8.5 million and £8 million respectively earlier in the summer, Cardiff seem intent on issuing a genuine statement to their Premier League rivals that they are here to stay for a long time and compete with fellow Welsh outfit Swansea, year in year out in England’s elite division.
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay could not hide his delight at the possibility of the seasoned Chilean World Cup player showing off his talent and pedigree at the Cardiff City stadium come August 17.
At the club’s official website, the 41-year old Scottish manager was quoted as saying,
“We’re delighted to have secured the services of Gary, a tenacious and intelligent international midfielder.”
“Having had two seasons of regular football in La Liga, with 60-odd international caps to his name and three appearances at a World Cup, his experience will be an invaluable asset to our squad.”
“He’s played in a number of Boca v River Plate derbies in Argentina – one of the world’s biggest derby matches.
“I’ve no doubt that his background and pedigree will complement our midfield group in the Premier League.”
The 5ft 8in muscular defensive midfielder, who can also play as centre back is often known for his robust disciplinary record, having been sent off seven times in 90 appearances for Sevilla, but had also earned plaudits for his tireless man marking of Lionel Messi whenever Sevilla clashed with Barcelona; and in the Andalusian city, the former Boca Juniors player has a cult status for his fearless approach to the game.
In some quarters, Medel’s playing style is often compared to that of AC Milan and Italian legend Gennaro Gattuso, although his versatility is more suited to the Premier League. It is of great excitement to see a player of this stature come to the Premier League and ply his trade for a promoted yet ambitious side like Cardiff. Given the combative physical nature of Gary Medel’s game, the City recruitment team had no doubts he would be a hit in the physical environment of the Barclays English Premier league.
Medel was the midfield force for the Chilean national team at the 2010 World Cup, and during the week he joins up with his international team mates for Wednesday’s friendly against Iraq in Denmark. With 4 goals in 51 appearances for Chile, Gary Alexis Medel Soto is a genuinely tactical recruitment for Cardiff City who will provide their first Premier League season in history a real impetus.
