Cardiff City have signed winger, Sheyi Ojo on a free transfer which marks the 25 year-old’s second spell at the club.
Ojo began his career within MK Dons’ youth academy aged 10 but was signed by Liverpool in November 2011 for an undisclosed fee, although he spent the second-half of 2014-15 season on loan at Wigan after being named as an unused substitute in various Liverpool matches over Xmas 2014.
The winger however failed to score in 11 appearances for Wigan before he then spent the first half of 2015-16 season on loan at Wolves, where he netted three goals in 19 appearances before he was recalled in January 2016 and proceeded to score once in 11 outings for Liverpool.
Only two further appearances followed in 2016-17 season due to a back fracture with manager, Jurgen Klopp opting to send Ojo out on loan to Fulham, Reims, Rangers, Cardiff and Millwall in following seasons without giving him a first-team chance.
Across his five loan spells away from Anfield since August 2017, Ojo has scored 16 goals in 138 appearances in total, with the 25 year-old having netted five goals during his first spell at Cardiff during 2020-21 season before he failed to score in 15 outings for Millwall last season.
Liverpool consequently decided to release Ojo upon expiry of his contract last month with the winger now joining the Bluebirds in a free transfer on a two-year contract.
Speaking about his decision to return to Cardiff on a permanent transfer, Ojo commented: “I really enjoyed myself last time I was here, and I’ve got some unfinished business to do. I’m really looking forward to the season, and I hope we can do some special things.”
Ojo however will be playing in front of home fans for the first time after his loan spell in 2020-21 season was entirely played behind-closed-doors without spectators, owing to the ongoing restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Discussing what it will be like to finally play in front of Cardiff supporters, Ojo said: “I didn’t actually get to see the fans last time I was here, so I’m really looking forward to that. The one thing that was missing last time was the fans, so I’m excited for the first game.
Manager, Steve Morison added that Ojo will provide “some extra quality” in attack given his “power and pace,” on the ball.
Reflecting on Ojo’s previous loan stint and expectations for this season, Morison added: “He was very good when he was here on loan, but I think there’s more to come from him.
“I liked him when I first saw him, and when the opportunity came up to bring him to the Club permanently, it was a no brainer.”
Ojo could make his second bow for Cardiff at home to Norwich City in their opening match of 2022-23 Sky Bet Championship season on Saturday 30 July, with kick-off confirmed for 3pm BST.
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