Cardiff seal signing of West Brom defender Bielik

What the report says

Cardiff City have completed the permanent signing of defender Krystian Bielik from Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion, according to BBC Sport Football. The 28-year-old has agreed a three-year contract and moved for an undisclosed fee. Cardiff hope he will strengthen a back line currently hit by injuries, with several senior central defenders unavailable.

Bielik made 17 league appearances for West Brom last season as the club finished 21st in the Championship and avoided relegation. He is an experienced Poland international who can play as either a centre-half or a defensive midfielder. Before joining West Brom last summer, he had previously played for Arsenal, Birmingham City, Walsall, Charlton Athletic and Derby County.

The move is Cardiff’s fourth senior signing of the summer. The club have already brought in goalkeeper Nathan Trott, midfielder Jack Moylan and left-back Calum Scanlon, who has returned on loan from Liverpool. Bielik said he was excited to join and wants to get started quickly with his new teammates.

If he is registered in time, Bielik could make his Cardiff debut in Saturday’s home match against Sheffield United. The signing is notable because Cardiff and West Brom are competing in the same division, and because Cardiff have been short of fit defenders after a run of injuries.