Cardiff City have added two promising young talents to
their U21 squad with the arrivals of Herbie James and Isaac Davies, joining
midway through the 2025/26 campaign.
Forward Herbie James makes the move to the Welsh capital on
a permanent transfer from Tottenham Hotspur. The dynamic attacker has featured
in both the U18 Premier League and Premier League 2, and previously developed
in Manchester City’s academy.
Midfielder Isaac Davies also joins the Bluebirds on a
permanent deal, arriving from Nottingham Forest. The 18?year?old has competed
in the U18 Premier League throughout the season and brings additional
international pedigree, having represented Wales at youth level over several
years. Davies expressed his delight at linking up with familiar faces in
Cardiff as he begins the next stage of his development.
Cardiff City have welcomed both players as they bolster the
U21 group for the remainder of the campaign.
“I’m so excited by this opportunity,” said Herbie. “I felt
it was one that I had to take, and at the same time I’m so pleased and happy to
be here.
“More than anything I’m hungry to make an impact, to represent the City and
meet the fans. Sometimes you get that gut feeling and it feels right.
“The goal is to get momentum between now and the end of the season. There’s so
much that I can learn. Once I’m in the environment it’s game mode and being
fully focused, with the aim to get involved with the First Team squad.
“I always look to excite and get people watching on their feet. The game is
about scoring goals and I live for those moments. Seeing my new teammates
alongside me pushing for those places in the First Team squad is very exciting
and why I’m looking forward to being part of this project.”
“I’m buzzing to be here,” said Isaac. “I know how big this
club is and this city, being a one-club city is massive. I know a few of the
boys here already so as soon as the offer came in I knew I couldn’t wait to get
started.
“Mannie Barton, Jac Thomas and Noah Williams are good mates already from my
time with Wales, and when I asked they all said it’s a really good place to be.
“My strengths are playing on the ball, passing and breaking lines, and when
I’ve spoken to staff here they’ve said that’s what they want to do, so I feel
like I can add some value to the side.
“I’ve walked around CCS and it’s an amazing stadium, I can’t wait to have the
chance to play here. You’ve got loads of young players coming through so it’s a
good time to be joining the club.”
Commenting on the recent signings made for the U21 side – including Caden
Voice’s arrival in January – U21s Lead Coach Darren Purse added:
“If you look at the three boys that we’ve brought in over the last week,
they’re who we’ve needed as a group. We have a good number of lads out on loan,
which is what’s right for them as individual players to play men’s football.
“Now it’s about us trying to help the lads that are in the building; there are
lots of youngsters in there who are second-year scholars and need assistance
with the second half of the season, so the players we’ve brought in bring
experience and quality.
“Hopefully, this puts us in good stead for the second half of the season, and
I’m looking forward to seeing where these boys go with the opportunity we give
them.”
