Cardiff City have completed the signing of Arsenal defender Mark McGuinness on a three-year deal, ending his decade-long stay with the Gunners.
McGuinness, 20, spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town after not being given a regular first team spot at the Premier League side, making 24 appearances for the Tractor Boys in their 2020/21 League One campaign as they finished 9th.
The Irish defender is Mick McCarthy's second signing of the summer in his first window as Cardiff boss, with former Luton striker James Collins joining the Bluebirds until 2023.
In his first words after arriving at the Cardiff City Stadium, the Irishman said: "As soon as a Club like Cardiff City were interested I was excited and I couldn't miss this opportunity.
"It's nice to get everything sorted early on and hopefully I can meet the boys and get going.
"My job is to stop the ball going into the back of the net. I love heading and I love defending.
"It's a great opportunity for me to learn and improve in the next few years at the Club."
McGuinness had been at Arsenal since 2011 but never featured in a competitive first-team game for the club.
The Verdict:
This is an exciting time for McGuinness who will be competing for a spot in a promotion-chasing side. Although the Welsh side finished eighth last season, Cardiff went on a remarkable run when McCarthy first joined and if they can keep up that sort of form, they will easily secure their place in the top six.
However, with the defender only having competitive senior experience in the third tier, it may take a while for the 20-year-old to break into the matchday squad.
But his pathway to the first team will be a lot clearer at the Championship side than at Arsenal - and if given a chance at a Championship level - he may stay in the starting lineup if he impresses.
For Cardiff fans, they should expect McGuinness to make mistakes with this being his first time in the second tier - but he could turn out to be a shrewd signing if he can iron them out and prove to be a real asset for the Bluebirds.