Cardiff City defender Ciaron Brown has been subject to a rejected bid from Middlesbrough this summer. 

The 23-year-old is entering the final months of his current contract with The Bluebirds, but he is a player that Mick McCarthy would like to keep hold of, according to Wales Online.

The left-footed defender became an integral part of Cardiff's team during the concluding stages of last season. Brown played every minute of the final 10 matches for The Bluebirds, showing versatility by operating as a left-back and at centre-back.

The Championship club picked up the 23-year-old from Wealdstone in 2018, with the Northern Ireland international spending three separate spells with Livingston since.

Speaking to Wales Online about Brown and the interest he is receiving from the north-east, McCarthy said: "I don't want to sell Browny, I've offered him a new contract and I'd like him to stay.

"Neil, yes, I've spoken to Neil, he's made an offer. Nowhere near enough.

"Browny is in his last year [of his contract]. So if Neil Wants to offer something that's anywhere near our valuation, even though the player has only got 12 months to run, then we may have to sell him. We don't want him to go on a free transfer.

"If not, he'll stay here on the contract he's on until the end of the season.

"I expect he will play and continue to play and compete just like he always would."

The verdict

Brown emerged as an exciting talent when he burst onto the first-team scene last year at Cardiff, and there is no surprise that McCarthy is fighting to keep him.

But at the same time, it is no real shock that he is also attracting Championship interest.

The fact that Cardiff switched to a three-at-the-back formation last season suggests that they need a good number of defensive options for the upcoming season.

Brown is a versatile option too, increasing his importance within McCarthy's squad. At 23-years-old, Brown has a bright future ahead of him and Cardiff will be hoping that he can continue to be a part of their promotion push.