STEVE MORISON'S 17 SUMMER SIGNINGS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
- ccfcinsider
- 13 minutes ago
- 9 min read
With the Transfer Window officially opening on Monday, let's recap to the busiest summer window in recent memory, as Steve Morison completed a full squad rebuild by completing seventeen summer signings.
Ebou Adams (Portsmouth)
Cardiff City appearances: 13
When did they leave? July 2024
Ebou Adams was the first of Steve Morison's summer signing, however never actually played for Morison. The Gambian international suffered a freak pectoral muscle injury, then a knee injury soon after returning to training. Adams would go onto make his City debut in August 2023, in City's season opener against Leeds United. Adams remained with The Bluebirds for the first half of the 23/24 season, starting just three times before completing a loan move to Derby County in 2024, where the Gambian would eventually move permanently in the following summer. After two-and-a-half years at The Rams, Adams joined fellow Championship side Portsmouth in the recent January Transfer Window.
Jak Alnwick (Huddersfield Town)
Cardiff City appearances: 64
When did they leave? January 2026
Alnwick was the first of two goalkeeper signings that summer, as Morison looked to revamp that department. The shot-stopper was second choice for the 23/24 season, making seven appearances, with just four of those coming in the league. Alnwick to become first choice of the first half of the next season following the departure of Ryan Allsop. After a steady first half of the season, Alnwick would be forced back onto the bench following the arrival of Ethan Horvath in January 2024. Horvath held the first-choice role under September, as Omer Riza reinstated Alnwick as first-choice following Erol Bulut's sacking. Alnwick would remain first-choice and captained the side on several occasions, before tearing his hamstring in February 2025 against Plymouth Argyle, in what would be his final Cardiff appearance. Alnwick did feature on the bench on the Opening Day of the 25/26 campaign, however failed to make another appearance in a Matchday squad before his inevitable departure in January 2026 to Huddersfield Town. The 32 year-old has made six appearances since his move to The Terriers.
Ollie Tanner (Cardiff City)
Cardiff City appearances: 102-
The first of the few that still remain at the club. Morison handed Ollie Tanner his professional debut in the First Round of the Carabao Cup against Portsmouth. That would be Tanner's only appearance under Morison. The winger made one more appearance that season, before going on an unsuccessful loan to York City. Erol Bulut handed Tanner a lifeline following an impressive pre-season in 2024, with the winger contributing to three goals in the following season, including his famous Derby Day stunner against Swansea City. Tanner became a mainstay the following season, contributing with five goals. As Tanner had been gaining momentum, the winger broke his foot in January 2025, which side-lined him for two months, City went onto be relegated. Tanner has recently contributed fifteen goals, playing a central role in Cardiff City's promotion from League One.
Jamilu Collins (Erzgebirge Aue)
Cardiff City appearances: 44
When did they leave? June 2025
Jamilu Collins came with a big reputation from Germany, and certainly impressed in his four appearances under Steve Morison, before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Collins returned in the First Round of the Carabao Cup of the 23/24 season against Colchester United. JC would become a regular in that season, spending the majority of the season as the only fit left-back. After an injury-hit start to the 24/25 campaign, the left-back managed three appearances before seemingly being frozen out around November, with the Nigerian international not featuring in a Matchday squad for the last six months of the season. Collins was released in June 2025, and made a return to Germany in September with 3. Liga side Erzgebirge Aue, where he has featured twenty-one times, contributing to three goals.
Callum O'Dowda (Ferencvaros)
Cardiff City appearances: 94
When did they leave? July 2025
O'Dowda joined The Bluebirds from Severnside rivals Bristol City, with an undeniable quality but a questionable injury record. The winger turned left-back featured forty times in his debut season, and quickly became a fan favourite with his passionate nature, the Irish international contributed in key moments for City. Injuries hit the following season for O'Dowda the following season, featuring just eleven times, but O'Dowda did contribute with a dramatic late winner against Ipswich Town. O'Dowda was fit for the entirety of the following season, again contributing in key moments and captaining the side on several occasions, despite City's relegation, O'Dowda had a individually decent campaign filling in at left-back. Ferencvaros snapped up the Irish international in July 2025, with O'Dowda going onto to win the Hungarian league title under the guidance of fellow Irishman Robbie Keane.
Vontae Daley-Campbell (Free Agent)
Cardiff City appearances: 2
When did they leave? February 2024
Probably the most forgettable on the list. Daley-Campbell featured once under Morison, and was sent off in a Carabao Cup tie with Portsmouth. The fullback would make his league debut against Coventry City, and would fail to make another appearance for The Bluebirds. Daley-Campbell had his deal terminated in February 2024, and has since had spells with Peterborough United and most recently Chestersfield, who after a two season stint have parted company with the 25 year-old this summer.
Mahlon Romeo (Free Agent)
Cardiff City appearances: 51
When did they leave? August 2024
Mahlon Romeo had big shoes to fill in Cody Drameh, and did relatively well in his opening season as a Bluebird. Perry Ng moved back to right-back the following season, limiting Romeo to just eighteen appearances under Erol Bulut before being released in August 2024, following reports of alleged homophobic comments towards a Police officer. Romeo has remained a free agent since his departure from the Welsh Capital.
Ryan Allsop (Birmingham City)
Cardiff City appearances: 43
When did they leave? August 2023
Ryan Allsop was brought in as number one choice goalkeeper and made an exceptional start to life in the Welsh Capital. Allsop continued as number one following Morison's departure, keeping eleven clean sheets as City goalkeeper, before departing for Hull City in August 2023.
Andy Rinomhota (Reading)
Cardiff City appearances: 82
When did they leave? June 2025
City showed their intent as they beat plenty of sides to the signature of Andy Rinomhota. The midfielder had a pleasing spell under Morison, with Rinomhota particularly impressing in the Opening Day victory over Norwich. The midfielder would feature heavily that season, racking up forty-one appearances, contributing with four assists. The Zimbabwe international fell out of favour under Erol Bulut, featuring just seven times before a loan move to Rotherham United. Following the sacking of Bulut in September 2024, Omer Riza gave Rinomhota a lifeline in a Cardiff shirt, this time at right-back. Rinomhota would go onto win Player of the Season after an excellent individual campaign. The midfielder departed in the summer, returning to Reading where he's made just three appearances. The Royals have offered the 29 year-old a new contract following the expiration of his current deal, with a decision yet to be made. Sheffield Wednesday have recently been linked with Rinomohta.
Romaine Sawyers (Free Agent)
Cardiff City appearances: 45
When did they leave? June 2024
Romaine Sawyers was another signing that signalled serious intent. Sawyers netted on his debut against Norwich and again a few weeks later against Luton Town. The St. Kitts and Nevis international started well under Morison, but really came into his own in a Cardiff shirt under Sabri Lamouchi, playing a deep-lying playmaker. Sawyers scored a crucial goal in a 1-0 win against Reading. The midfielder fell out of favour under Erol Bulut, making just the six appearance before leaving upon the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2024. Sawyers has since had short stints with AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers, as well as recent appearance in Ballers League with Deportrio.
Sheyi Ojo (Maribor)
Cardiff City appearances (as a permanent player): 40
When did they leave? June 2024
After a successful loan spell in the 20/21 season, Sheyi Ojo was a signing that excited the City faithful. Things didn't go exactly as planned, with Ojo heavily splitting opinion in his second stint. Ojo was in and out under Steve Morison, and that didn't really change following Morison's departure. The winger did make thirty-nine appearances that season, contributing with goals against Wigan and Leeds. After an appearance in the opening round of the 23/24 Carabao Cup, Ojo joined City's sister club, KV Kortrijk, on loan which saw him up until the expiration of his Cardiff contract. Ojo has since joined Slovenian side Maribor, where he has spent the last two seasons.
Cedric Kipre (Ipswich Town)
Cardiff City appearances: 43
When did they leave? June 2023
One of the best pieces of business from Steve Morison. The ex-City boss brought in then West Brom outcast Cedric Kipre who turned out to be a monster for Cardiff. Kipre started the season excellently under Morison, and carried on his form once Morison departed. Kipre contributed with key goals against Watford and Rotherham United. The Ivorian is widely considered one of City's best loan signings in recent times. After a season back with his parent club West Brom, Kipre joined Reims on a free transfer in July 2024. After a season in France, Kipre would join Ipswich Town on loan, where he would help secure promotion back to the Premier League for the Tractor Boys, triggering a permanent deal in the 29 year-old's loan deal.
Jaden Philogene (Ipswich Town)
Cardiff City appearances: 39
When did they leave? June 2023
Another who is widely considered one of City's best loan signings in recent times. Whilst Philogene did net on his debut under Steve Morison, it was only once Morison departed did Philogene burst onto the scene in a Cardiff shirt. Adored for his flair, Philogene got fans off there seat week in week out. The winger netted in both the Severnside Derby and South Wales Derby, as well as goals against Leeds and Rotherham. Philogene would sign for Hull City the following season. After another eye-catching season, Philogene would rejoin Aston Villa, where he spent six months with before joining current side Ipswich Town in January 2025.
Kion Etete (Cardiff City)
Cardiff City appearances: 63
The second player that remains a Cardiff City player. Etete was brought in from Spurs for a reported fee of £500k after impressive loan spells with Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town. The City number nine failed to show much under Morison, but did find some form at the back end of Mark Hudson's reign into Sabri Lamouchi, contributing with goals against Blackpool, Watford and Rotherham United, making a solid pairing with Sory Kaba. Etete would start the next season on fire under Erol Bulut, netting five goals in the opening months of the season, before enduring a long goal drought. Etete would suffer an injury in March, and then a serious hamstring injury. The striker made his return in January 2025. Etete has since had injury-hit loan spells with Bolton Wanderers, Rotherham United and St. Mirren, failing to net in any of the three spells. The 24 year-old returns to the Welsh Capital with a year left on his deal.
Jack Simpson (Free Agent)
Cardiff City appearances: 23
When did they leave? August 2023
The most underwhelming addition of the Morison summer goes to Simpson. The defender had a steady start in the Welsh Capital under Morison, but quickly fell down the pecking order after a series of unconvincing performances. Simpson's last game in a City shirt came against Leicester City, where the defender made an error leading to a goal with the last kick of the game. The defender then had his contract terminated in August 2023, after racially abusing ex-City goalkeeper Rohan Luthra. Simpson joined Leyton Orient in April 2024, which is where he remained up until June 2026.
Niels Nkounkou (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Cardiff City appearances: 18
When did they leave? January 2023
Following Jamilu Collins' serious injury, Cardiff were forced to react and did so by adding exciting young left-back Niels Nkounkou on loan from Everton. The Frenchman played five times prior to Morison's sacking. Nkounkou remained first-choice under Mark Hudson, but his spell is remembered more for the fullback's defensive frailties. City failed to find the right system for Nkounkou, which led to his inevitable recall in January. Nkounkou had a successful second half of the season in the second division of France with Saint-Etienne, where he would sign permanently in September 2023. However, Nkounkou departed for Germany in the same month on a permanent deal to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman spent the 25/26 season on loan in the Serie A with Torino.
Callum Robinson (Cardiff City)
Cardiff City appearances: 130-
The most influential of Morison's signings. Cardiff were in desperate need of a striker, and managed to seal a deal for the highly-regarded Callum Robinson. The Irish international failed to net under Morison, missing a penalty in Morison's final game as Cardiff boss. Robinson's influence for the remainder of that season was undeniable, contributing with thirteen goals in all competitions. Robbo would have an injury-struck 23/24 season, featuring just the twenty-four times, contributing with four goals. The striker's days in the Welsh Capital began to look numbered, until an impressive pre-season in the lead-up to the 24/25 season. Robinson netted twelve times that season, including three goals in the South Wales Derby. The 31 year-old was used sporadically in City's recent promotion campaign, but still contributed to thirteen goals in all competition.
Summary:
A real variety. Plenty of poor pieces of business, but some that we can still be grateful for to this day. An absolutely bonkers summer, which replicated the turmoil we saw in that very same season.
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