Defender Calum Chambers swaps Aston Villa for Cardiff City

Cardiff City have confirmed the signing of defender Calum Chambers. The England international joins the Bluebirds on a three-year contract after departing Aston Villa earlier this week.

Chambers, a product of Southampton's academy, spent eight years at Arsenal, where he went on loan to Middlesborough and Fulham, He moved to Aston Villa in 2022, but despite signing a three and a half year contract, left earlier this week by mutual consent. 

Expressing his excitement, Chambers said, "I’m absolutely delighted, and I can’t wait to get started. The club's ambition was clear in our discussions. It’s a project I didn’t want to miss out on, and at this stage in my career, I want to be ambitious and create memories."

He added, "The stadium is top-notch, and it’s a great club. I look forward to playing here for the first time. The manager was pivotal in my decision. We had productive conversations about our shared ambitions to elevate this club."

Cardiff's manager, Erol Bulut, praised the signing, stating, "Calum is a great player with extensive experience from his time at Arsenal and Aston Villa. He adds valuable expertise to our defence and knows Aaron Ramsey well, which is a bonus. He can play in multiple positions, which is crucial for us."

Bulut also highlighted the strategic importance of Chambers' signing, "It's a strong start to the transfer window. Last season, we had some positional issues, especially in attack, despite creating chances. Chambers will be vital for our defensive structure, and together, we aim to improve both defensively and offensively this season."

Chambers is Cardiff's second signing of the 2024 summer transfer window, joining Chris Willock who joined from QPR.